Radek Vitek has made it clear he wants to leave Manchester United this summer, with the 22-year-old goalkeeper ready to consider both loan and permanent moves. Speaking after playing the second half of United's pre-season friendly defeat to Wrexham in Helsinki, Vitek emphasized his desire to be a number one goalkeeper elsewhere.
Vitek's clear stance on his future
“I feel great and ready to go again somewhere to be, hopefully, number one, so we will see. We will see what is going to happen,” Vitek said. “At the moment, I am still here, but we will see. I hope so. I hope there will be some interest. I think you will know when things are more concrete.”
When asked whether he preferred a loan or permanent exit, Vitek responded: “I am ready for both, to be fair. Depends what the club wants and also depends on the options. We will see. There have been a few interests on the table. But we hope to get the best one and hopefully it will happen soon.”
Loan success and United's goalkeeper situation
Vitek spent the last two-and-a-half seasons on loan, with an impressive campaign at Championship side Bristol City last term, where he swept the board at the club's player of the year awards. Despite United having a vacancy for a number two goalkeeper after Andre Onana returned to Trabzonspor on loan and Altay Bayindir was set to leave, Vitek made it clear he had no interest in filling that role. United have since signed veteran Karl Darlow on a free transfer.
“My mind is still the same,” Vitek said. “I want to play. I want to play every week and that is the goal for next season. I think hopefully I will find out soon where that is going to be. I think I grew over the past two-and-a-half years when I went on a few loans. I grew in a person-wise, on the pitch as well.”
Continued development at Carrington
Vitek has been training at Carrington ahead of a move this summer and has leaned on the experience of 40-year-old Tom Heaton and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson. “I have been working here with Craig nearly six years now,” he said. “And obviously with Tom as well, quite a long time. They have been massively important. Also this pre-season, it helps me a lot. I can work with them and hopefully get myself ready as best as possible.”
