Radek Vitek was Manchester United’s best player in the pre-season friendly against Rosenborg.
They always say ‘don’t overreact to pre-season’. But Manchester United fans were spot on to be encouraged about Kobbie Mainoo a year ago.
And sometimes a player drops a performance that underlines everything you have learned about him during the previous two years.
Step forward goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who was excellent in Manchester United’s opening pre-season friendly of 2024.
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Radek Vitek shows his quality
Radek Vitek has been making an impression behind the scenes at Manchester United for a couple of seasons now. He was named in the first team squad for a Europa League game under Erik ten Hag in late 2022.
Prior to this, Vitek showed his potential in the same team as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, helping the Red Devils to win the FA Youth Cup in 2022.
Vitek starred out on loan in early 2024 at Accrington Stanley, winning rave reviews for his first performances in competitive football. It has served him well.
The Athletic previously reported how Vitek’s goalkeeping style has drawn comparisons to Peter Schmeichel and Oliver Kahn.
It’s easy to see why. Vitek is huge, he has a big reach, and he closes opponents down by narrowing the angles with his large frame.
He pulled off a succession of outstanding saves against Rosenborg, and was the only player to feature for all 90 minutes.
This was a big show of faith considering Denzil Haroun Award winner Elyh Harrison was on the bench, another very highly rated young stopper.
Vitek demonstrated another side of his game too. While Schmeichel was famed for his long throws upfield which would reach the halfway line, Vitek prefers to play the ball out with his feet, a more modern trait.
He completed 69 of 77 passes attempted against Rosenborg, a total of 90 per cent. He fits the style Erik ten Hag wants to play perfectly.
Vitek’s first team path blocked for now
Radek Vitek should be the true number two to first choice stopper Andre Onana. He’s that good.
However, this is not necessarily how it will work. Manchester United will likely take the view that to use Vitek as a back-up, would be detrimental to his development.
Vitek needs to play, and he will likely agree with this notion, especially after getting another taste in Norway.
Another loan deal is most likely, either at a Championship club or in a top-flight league in Europe.
Vitek has the potential to be a true number one, and if this is not at Manchester United, he can build a reputation that could see United fetch a big fee for his services in the future.
Against Rosenborg, however, Vitek looked every inch the future Manchester United star.
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