- Manchester United loanee Vitek is on loan at Bristol City
- Played 34 games for the Robins
- Wants first-team football
Manchester United loanee goalkeeper Radek Vitek has said that when it rolls around to next season, he wants to be playing first-team football. The 22-year-old Czech has spent the past three campaigns on loan, plying his trade in England’s lower leagues and Austria’s top flight.
This season, Vitek has started 34 games for Bristol City, preventing 2.7 goals per match while maintaining a 70.4% save rate. Even as the Robins have endured a dismal spell, picking up just one point in their last five outings, he has emerged as their standout performer.
Vitek has also racked up 106 saves in the Championship, conceding only three goals from outside the box. He has continued to catch the eye with displays that have him talked up as Senne Lammens’ deputy next season.
Man United Put on Notice by Vitek
Initially signing to replace the injured Max O’Leary, Vitek impressed straight away for Bristol City. His consistent performances saw O’Leary tumble down the pecking order, ultimately leaving for West Bromwich Albion.
Now, Vitek wants to keep that first-team football continuing at this stage of his career. He told SunSport:
“I came here to play a few games at the start because the number one [Max O’Leary] was injured.”
He added:
“He had been here a long time, so it was difficult to keep the shirt, but in the back of my mind I always wanted to stay here and play the whole season. That was my goal.“
Vitek’s loan expires at the end of the season but he doesn’t want to be reduced to a bit-part role:
“At this stage in my career, I want to play as many games as possible. I wouldn’t benefit from sitting on the bench.”
The situation is reminiscent of Dean Henderson’s stint at Manchester United. The English goalkeeper went out on five separate loans across the Premier League and lower tiers, making just 29 appearances in 12 years at Old Trafford.
Unwilling to play second fiddle to David de Gea, Henderson engineered a move to Crystal Palace, where he lifted the FA Cup last season. United’s board will hope Vitek avoids the same fate, as they look to establish him firmly as the club’s number two.
Vitek on his Bristol City Exploits
Vitek also spoke to Simon Stone of BBC Sport about his incredible save against Middlesbrough on 14 March. After parrying Aidan Morris’ 20-yard strike, the Czech shot-stopper stuck his left leg out to block Hayden Hackney from converting the rebound inside the six-yard box.
Vitek then leapt onto the ball like it was a live grenade, denying Adilson Malanda what should have been the simplest finish of his career. It was an excellent stop that earned plenty of plaudits.
For a Bristol City fan who has had little to shout about over the past few weeks, it was one bright spot as Vitek’s heroics helped them earn a point against second in the table.
“The first save I couldn’t see much through bodies and the ball rebounded straight to the striker’s feet,” recalled Vitek. Luckily for me, I didn’t give up. I stuck my feet there, somehow it ended up on the line, and I managed to keep it out.”
Vitek’s hinted at his hardworking mentality:
“You are on the ground, you see the striker with an empty net in front of him, you might think ‘it is done, it is a goal’, but if you don’t just give up and try, sometimes you get rewarded.”
Vitek has appeared 34 times across competitions this season, keeping nine clean sheets. He has yet to make his senior debut for United but could be set to do so as Lammens’ backup next season.
