Manchester United are still in the process of shaping their squad by sanctioning some departures, but one loan exit that has already been sanctioned is paying dividends.
After having quite a big loan army last season, Man Utd are again putting in the work to settle their youngsters in clubs for first-team football.
Jonny Evans has taken on the role of a Loan Manager, so it has been interesting to watch how the players are placed on loan.
While a loan move is extremely unpredictable on the best of days, one player is already ensuring that his is a success.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty ImagesRadek Vitek is on fire at Bristol City
Radek Vitek has long been touted as one of the better goalkeeping prospects at Man Utd, especially due to how he has acclimatised himself to the jump in competition levels.
What started as a good loan at Accrington ended with a successful loan at BW Linz last season, with United challenging him with a Championship loan this season.
Vitek started off at Bristol City with a penalty save on his debut, and then followed it up with a player-of-the-match display on his competitive debut in the Championship.
Bristol City fans were in awe of Vitek already, and the bond has just grown deeper in just three games after he put in another player-of-the-match display.
Vitek kept a clean sheet in City’s 0-0 draw against Charlton Athletic, finishing with an 8.6 rating (as per Fotmob) and the player-of-the-match award.
He had 49 touches of the ball, and any average goalkeeper could have conceded at least one, if not two goals as per the quality of shots he faced.
He had to make only three saves, but that was because he killed the attacks by coming out of his box to claim high balls or act as a sweeper.
Vitek even launched a few counter-attacks with his quick throws that had the trajectory and speed of a bullet, as he showcased all the skills in his arsenal, which are needed to succeed at the top level.
With United’s goalkeeping situation under a cloud of uncertainty, one thing is becoming increasingly certain. Ruben Amorim will have a decision to make next summer because Vitek is exceeding the most optimistic expectations set out for him.
Man Utd loanwatch 2025/26
Besides Vitek, it was a fairly subdued outing for most other United loanees as they failed to stand out.
Dan Gore’s Rotherham lost to Cardiff City 3-0, with Gore playing 90 minutes. He completed 18/24 passes but was mostly peripheral as Cardiff dominated territory and possession.
Sonny Aljofree wasn’t much better at Notts County, playing 56 on the right side of a back-three in a 2-1 loss to Barrow.
Elyh Harrison couldn’t repeat his previous game heroics as his Shrewsbury Town fell 2-0 to Colchester United, with Harrison rated as the second-lowest on his team.
Jack Moorhouse’s Leyton Orient drew 2-2 against Stockport in a game where he came off the bench and played just 12 minutes.
Ethan Wheatley had an eventful but frustrating outing at Northampton Town, hitting the woodwork once in a 2-0 loss to Stevenage as his search for his first goal there goes on. Toby Collyer made his West Brom debut with a four-minute cameo in their 3-2 win against Wrexham.
The hope is that most of these youngsters, if not all, start matching Vitek’s fortunes at Bristol City!