Radek Vitek: Petr Cech explains why Man United loanee is destined for the top

“It’s important to play. Of course, there are situations where sometimes you know that you have a big chance to come back and fight for your position. That’s a different thing.

“But as it stands at United, Lammens has done really well. I’m sure he [Vitek] will want to go somewhere and continue playing.”

The legendary Premier League goalkeeper then went on to make the case for why he believes Vitek is ready for the top level:

“It’s great to see him progress because playing for the Under-21s with United is one thing, but then he played men’s football in Austria, which went really well for him, then he came back to England with Bristol City and did well there.

“That obviously gives him an opportunity to attract even attention from teams in the Premier League.

“I met him a couple of years ago, when we had a training session and talked about things. I could see he’s got the hunger and the willingness to get better.”

Vitek has proven his mettle

Cech is simply saying what many have already observed: Vitek is primed for a big 2026-27 season after proving himself in the Championship.

Well, according to FotMob, the young goalkeeper averages an impressive 3.3 saves per 90 minutes, bettered by only one Championship goalkeeper. He carries a 71.3 save percentage, recorded the fourth-most clean sheets despite missing six fixtures during the festive period through injury, and has prevented the fourth-most goals in the division.

It is unfortunate for him that Senne Lammens has arrived and made such an immediate impact at United, because had that not been the case, there would be little debate over who should be United’s first-choice goalkeeper next season.

That said, with Altay Bayındır and Andre Onana both expected to leave in the summer, it will be fascinating to see whether Vitek can be convinced to stay, given his desire for regular football, or whether he will be sold.

What is certain, however, is that if United do sell him, it could prove a decision they come to regret, given the big future Vitek appears destined for.

Featured image Ed Sykes via Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social