Radek Vitek: The Man United man asking all the right questions away from Old Trafford | OneFootball

While Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana continue to deliver shaky performances between the sticks, Manchester United prospect Radek Vitek keeps showing why Ruben Amorim might have been wiser to gamble on him as his number one.

After a solid season-long loan at Austrian side Blau-Weiss Linz, many fans expected United to give him a chance to prove himself at the club.

Overlooked despite goalkeeping struggles

Plenty were keen to see him feature prominently in pre-season.

Given United’s goalkeeping woes in 2024–25, some fans would have welcomed a ruthless INEOS decision to promote him had he impressed in pre-season.

Unfortunately, the young Czech shot-stopper was not afforded that opportunity. He missed the tour while preparing for another loan move.

Towards the end of July, after signing a new three-year deal with United, Vitek joined Bristol City on a season-long loan.

How brilliant he has been, four games into this Championship campaign, it is baffling why United sent him out, especially considering the form of their current keepers.

Aside from the new goalkeeper signing Senne Lammens, Vitek is arguably the finest shot-stopper on their books.

Making waves in the Championship

The 21-year-old has taken the Championship by storm.

According to FotMob, he boasts an 80% save percentage.

He has prevented 1.3 goals; only two other keepers have prevented more, and he averages 4.0 saves per 90 minutes, with just one keeper ahead of him.

His towering presence in goal has seen him claim 96% of high balls, an area where Bayindir and Onana have struggled: Set pieces and high claims remain a major weakness for United.

It is still early days, but Vitek’s 7.80 FotMob rating from the games he has played is promising if not outright brilliant.

United should not sleep on this talent. Performances like the one against Hull, with 36 touches, seven saves, six diving stops, five saves inside the box, and three sweeper actions, should remind them of the talent at their disposal.

Had the Red Devils been bold enough to overhaul their goalkeeping setup this summer, Vitek could have been a “strong” number two behind their top signing.

That said, if he continues to impress at Ashton Gate, INEOS should seriously consider moving on Onana and Bayindir next summer and letting Vitek challenge for the number one shirt.

Interestingly, for his brilliance, some Bristol fans worry United might recall him. But that seems unlikely.

Goalkeeper signings and Vitek’s path

Senne Lammens, 23, is still young like Vitek. While he could pose a threat to the United academy graduate, the two might yet form a David de Gea–Sergio Romero-style partnership, one that once brought stability to United’s defence.

All that said, one thing is obvious: Vitek is a top goalkeeper who deserves a chance at the Theatre of Dreams next season.

Feature image Ed Sykes via Getty Images

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