Why Vitek is held up as an example

Why Vitek is held up as an example

Radek Vitek is due back at Manchester United after his loan spell abroad ended, with the keeper hailed as a shining example to the younger Academy goalkeepers.

The Czech Republic Under-20 international enjoyed a successful stay with Blau-Weiss Linz in Austria throughout 2024/25 as they finished sixth in the table.

After returning from injury, the talented stopper was able to display the sort of form that earned him Man of the Match for United in last summer’s friendly against Rosenborg, as he displayed his potential with a string of top saves.

Academy lead goalkeeping coach Tommy Lee is in no doubt that the 21-year-old has a bright future because of the work he does, every day, behind the scenes, and the way he approaches the job.

Radek Vitek was excellent against Rosenborg in Trondheim last year.

“Radek has done great out there in Austria,” Lee told us. “He got an injury early on but recovered extremely well and played really well. He has got really good experience there.

“I think we often use Radek as an example to some of the younger goalkeepers in the Academy. He is a player who maximises every part of the programme to ensure he is the best he can possibly be.

“Nutrition, gym, analysis. He is the consummate professional and that is going to take him, I believe, to the top level.

“He is a talented boy and that needs to be said. He’s 6ft 6ins and that always helps! For the other lads, their challenge is to be as good as Radek and do everything he does and more. He is a great example of someone who does that.”

“I’m truly grateful for the chance to represent this club,” Vitek posted on social media, when his loan came to an end. “Playing in front of such passionate supporters was something special.

“Every match, every moment meant a lot, and hearing your voices from the stands is something I’ll never forget.

“Together, we achieved something amazing — derby dominance [against LASK Linz] with 2/2 clean sheets, and a historic top-six finish in only the club’s second Bundesliga season. It’s been an honour to be part of that journey.”

The goalkeeping pool in the under-age levels will change during the close season, as it does every year, with players naturally moving up and the club confirming Hubert Graczyk, Tom Myles and Tom Wooster are to further their careers elsewhere.

“That’s the plan,” added Lee on the ever-evolving situation in this position from the Under-21s downwards. “We need to try to get the best out of our young goalkeepers at our football club. To try to keep improving and get the best programme possible so we can make sure they are getting every opportunity to get better.

“The challenge is hard for us and the lads need to be all pulling in the right direction so we’re getting the best goalkeepers, the best programme and keep doing that consistently to keep producing goalkeepers for the football club and, hopefully, producing a Manchester United no.1 in the future.”

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