Man Utd star wants to quit club after Wrexham loss and hopes for exit ‘soon’ | Football | Sport

Radek Vitek is determined to leave Manchester United this summer and would like to make a permanent exit from Old Trafford should the club receive a suitable bid for him. The 22-year-old played the full second half of United’s pre-season friendly loss to Wrexham in Helsinki on Saturday. But afterwards, the goalkeeper made it clear he has no desire to stay and be an understudy to Senne Lammens next season – because he wants to play regularly.

Vitek has spent the previous two-and-a-half campaigns away on loan and following a strong spell with Championship side Bristol City last term, is eager to secure regular first-team football for the new season. That opportunity will not materialise at United, with Lammens now established as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. That has prompted Vitek to confirm his wish to move on during this transfer window, amid significant interest in the Czech’s services.

“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 following the 1-0 loss to Wrexham as Sam Smith scored the only goal of the game in the first half.

“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 would prefer a loan move or a permanent departure from United, Vitek said: “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.”

United are considering selling the young shot-stopper after he dominated Bristol City’s Player of the Year awards last season, with his prospects of ever displacing Lammens deemed remote.

With Andre Onana already heading back to Trabzonspor on loan and Altay Bayindir also poised to depart, there was an opening for a new No.2 goalkeeper at Old Trafford this summer.

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However, Vitek has made his position clear that he has no desire to take on that role. United have subsequently brought in experienced keeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer. Vitek stated last season that he believed regular first-team football remained crucial, and his stance remains unchanged.

“My mind is still the same,” he 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.”

Vitek has been working at Carrington ahead of a transfer this summer and has once more benefited from the wisdom of 40-year-old Tom Heaton and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson to further his progression.

“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.”