Man Utd fans say ‘play him instead of Onana’ after ‘second coming of Buffon’, 20, steals show in Rosenborg clash
MANCHESTER UNITED legends and supporters were blown away by goalkeeper Radek Vítek’s first half display against Rosenborg.
The 20-year-old Czech Republic stopper was named in the starting XI by Erik ten Hag for tonight’s 1-0 defeat in Norway.
Aaran Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford were among the big names on display to take on Rosenborg.
However, it was the hosts who enjoyed the best of the opening 45 minutes – but they could just not find any way past Vitek.
He was called into action several times to deny Rosenborg from making the breakthrough.
But he was equal to it on each and every occasion and produced four big saves to keep it goalless at the break.
United legend Ronny Johnsen was summarising the game for MUTV and he was blown away by the 6ft 6in star’s performance in the opening period.
He said: “The saves he had were very important and, also for a goalkeeper, to come in and make saves like this in your first game is important.
“He has stood up and made himself big – which he is.
“He was doing really good saves.”
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And those fans watching on from home were soon hailing him as “the second coming of [Gianluigi] Buffon” with others calling for him to be No.1 instead of Andre Onana.
One fan stated: “I forgot what ten hag ball looked like – this s*** is outrageously bad, only positive is that vitek is the second coming of Buffon.”
“I saw enough play Vitek instead of Onana,” commented another with a third saying: “Vitek is a monster, Onana should be checking his mirrors.”
Another wrote: “Radek Vitek is him what a class goalkeeper hopefully gets more game time with us.”
“Vitek has saved us from being 3 or 4 nil down,” claimed another.
While a fellow fan added: “Radek Vitek definitely taking his chance today. Making some top saves.”
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He continued his fine form into the second half, tipping a fierce drive against the upright just after the hour mark to keep it goalless.
And he produced more heroics late on to thwart Rosenborg before he was beaten by a deflected strike in the dying seconds.
Vitek headed to United from Sigma Olomouc back in 2020 and he has risen through the ranks of their academy as well as being capped by his country at U20 level.
But he finally got his first taste of senior action in January when he joined Accrington Stanley on loan.
He made 18 appearances for them in League Two and there is no doubt that he will have plenty more offers after this display.