Janina Leitzig, the new Manchester United goalkeeper, has traded her Leicester garden for the training pitches at Carrington, but her passion for homegrown vegetables remains. The 27-year-old, who joined United this summer after Leicester's relegation from the Women's Super League, says gardening helped her cope with being away from home.
From Leicester to Manchester
Leitzig, who spent three-and-a-half years at Leicester, initially on loan from January 2023 before signing permanently that summer, described her time in the East Midlands as special. "It was supposed to be only half a year and then it ended up being three-and-a-half," she told the Guardian. "The people are great and the club is great."
Despite the disappointment of relegation, she holds no grudges. "Obviously we had some tough times and unfortunately the relegation last season was really, really tough and it really hurt, because the club deserves to be in a better position," she said. "I really hope that the girls will do well and I see them soon back in the WSL."
Why United?
Leitzig, a former Germany youth international who previously played for Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, explained the appeal of joining United. "It's such a big club and it's such a big honour to be here," she said. "The team is so nice. The characters in here – you can tell it's a really good and strong team. The training quality is really high. The building and the facilities [at Carrington] are really good; it's really professional here."
She signed a contract until 2029. United are heading to La Manga for a training camp between 14 and 19 August, where the focus will be on running drills rather than runner beans.
Goalkeeping evolution and competition
Leitzig has observed changes in goalkeeping styles during her time in England. On the trend of keepers playing out from the back, she said: "There was a phase where everyone wanted goalkeepers to play with the feet and I think it's still really important, but I think there was a phase where it was too much. I think it was a bit overexaggerated at times, so I think it's coming back now to be more about the basic stuff."
She added: "The game is going to be more [about] trying to get the ball as quick as possible in the opposite half to then keep the pressure up there and not to try to take such a high risk."
Leitzig will compete with Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the No 1 spot, with the American having played 21 of United's 22 WSL matches last season. "It's like a competition [to start in goal]," Leitzig said. "I will just give my best, I'll try to bring quality, and then it's the manager's decision to decide who's going to play. But it's really important that we are a good goalkeeper team, that we support each other and push each other."
United, who finished fourth last season, begin the new WSL season at London City Lionesses on 4 September. Leitzig is looking forward to the opening night. "To have the first game of the season Friday evening, 7pm, floodlights, it's just something you're really excited for," she said.
