'I couldn't turn down Man Utd – but I'm not going to warm the bench for them'

'I couldn't turn down Man Utd – but I'm not going to warm the bench for them'The Czech shotstopper joined Manchester United six years ago but refuses to be a deputy for any first-team goalkeeperCommentsSportAbbie Meehan Senior Sports Writer10:10, 18 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesRadek Vitek is ready to become Manchester United's newest hero(Image: Jasper Wax/Getty Images)Radek Vitek admitted he "couldn't turn down" the chance to join Manchester United but will not remain as a deputy for Senne Lammens. The Czech goalkeeper joined United in 2020 as a youth player but is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for the club.‌Vitek did play through the youth ranks at Old Trafford but headed out on loan to Accrington Stanley in 2024. Another temporary move to the Austrian Bundesliga followed before he settled as first-choice 'keeper for Bristol City in 2025.‌The 22-year-old has made 37 appearances for the Championship side, keeping 11 clean sheets in over 3,300 minutes of action. He secured his position between the sticks after fellow shotstopper Max O’Leary got injured during pre-season.‌After initially being signed as cover, Vitek has shown his skills and told The Sun that he is not happy just collecting a salary without contributing. He said: "It was a difficult task 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.FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageREAD MORE: Joining Chelsea over Man Utd is my biggest regret – my wife didn't want to go to ManchesterREAD MORE: Alejandro Garnacho's Man Utd regret, damning Bruno Fernandes claim, Chelsea 'ready to sell'"At this stage in my career, at a young age, I want to play as many games as possible. I wouldn’t benefit from sitting on the bench here, or anything else."‌Vitek explained that while he couldn't say no to the opportunity with...