Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Radek Vitek reacts to prevent Middlesbrough's Adilson Malanda scoring against Bristol City on 14 March
BySimon StoneChief football news reporter- Published1 hour ago
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There have not been too many moments to savour for Bristol City fans in 2026, but Radek Vitek's remarkable save at Middlesbrough last month was definitely one.
Diving to his right to keep out Aidan Morris' 20-yard drive, low by his post, Vitek then stuck out a leg to prevent Hayden Hackney turning the rebound past him from five yards before spinning round to dive on the ball as it rolled on the line with Adilson Malanda about to tap in.
It was a viral moment and would have been noted at Manchester United, where Vitek's short-term future will be determined over the coming weeks.
"The first save I couldn't see much through bodies and the ball rebounded straight to the striker's feet," recalled Vitek.
"Luckily for me, I didn't give up. I stuck my feet there, somehow it ended up on the line, and I managed to keep it out."
All the unseen training-ground work on reactions paying off?
"Yes," said the 22-year-old. "But I would say it is a mental thing as well.
"You are on the ground. You see the striker with an empty net in front of him. You might think 'it is done, it is a goal', but if you don't just give up and try, sometimes you get rewarded."
Vitek's making a big impression
For young players at major Premier League clubs, getting the right loan moves can be tough. Vitek has managed it - and thrived.
He made 19 appearances during a half-season in League Two at Accrington. There were 26 in the Austrian Bundesliga for Blau Weiss Linz last term and now 34 in the Championship for Bristol City.
"I came here to play a few games at the start because the number one was injured," said Vitek, who initially signed as cover for Max O'Leary - and then kept his place, with the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper moving to West Brom in January.
"He had been here a long time, so it was difficult 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.
"At this stage in my career, I want to play as many games as possible. I wouldn't benefit from sitting on the bench."
Vitek was speaking 10 days before his Bristol City manager Gerhard Struber was sacked and replaced by former England boss Roy Hodgson.
The 78-year-old knows a thing or two about good goalkeepers. Joe Hart was his regular keeper for England. The last one he picked was Dean Henderson, who was part of Thomas Tuchel's squad for the recent friendlies with Uruguay and Japan.
One of Vitek's heroes is his fellow Czech keeper Petr Cech, one of the all-time greats, who enjoyed a 15-year career in England with Chelsea and Arsenal.
"You can look at him as an example from a young age for me," said Vitek, who was less than 10 months old when Cech made his Chelsea debut in 2004. "He set records in the Premier League, the best league in the world, which says everything.
"I try to look at many goalkeepers because everyone is good at something different.
"I could say Manuel Neuer, for what he has done in that position over the years. Later on, I was lucky to be with David de Gea, Andre Onana, Tom Heaton - many good goalkeepers at Manchester United. I learned different things from them."
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Radek Vitek has been first choice during all three of his loan moves
What happens now? Vitek's desire to play
During his time at Ashton Gate, Vitek has been in regular contact with United's goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson, whose status was elevated in January following Ruben Amorim's dismissal.
"We speak regularly; he gives me feedback," said Vitek. "He has been watching clips from games. It is good conversation with him."
Vitek comes across as assured and measured.
It is a calmness that has helped him make some huge moves. As a 12-year-old, he left his "small village" to join Sigma Olomouc. He was 16 when the call came from Manchester United.
"I couldn't turn down Manchester United at such a young age," he said.
"I knew it would be a challenge; new country, new language, but if you don't work for something in life, you can't achieve much.
"Looking back, I did the right step. It built my personality and character as well.
"There have been some difficult times but, when you overcome that, it builds you up, you have more confidence and you believe in yourself.
"I have always been a bit of a loner. Sigma Olomouc was over an hour from home, and I stayed over the week, so I was already used to the travel and being on my own."
It was pre-planned for the past three summers he would go out on loan. Struber took him to Bristol City this season after receiving excellent reports from Vitek's time in his Austrian homeland once it became clear loan rules meant he needed to stay in England.
"It would be amazing to go over, play for Manchester United straight away and be unbroken but it's not really usual," he said.
"I think each time, I proved I can go another level and that I deserved to make another step to the Championship.
"Loans are not easy for a young goalkeeper. Young goalkeepers usually have some ups and downs. I really appreciate that everyone in the club trusted me to come here and do a job."
That includes dealing with crosses and set-pieces, which have become harder to deal with as the standard of delivery has improved.
Not that Vitek is too flustered by that.
"Now it is a more powerful game," he said. "I see long throws and people crowding your box.
"It is difficult for goalkeepers but luckily for me, I am 6ft 6in, so I can deal with it."
Vitek signed a contract extension to 2028 with United when they agreed to this season's loan. Yet his future beyond his stint Bristol City is uncertain.
Do United see him as a competitor to Senne Lammens, only 23 and relatively inexperienced himself, for a campaign virtually certain to include European football? Or will it be another loan?
"At the moment, I'm focusing on being as strong as possible for Bristol City with eight games to play," he said.
"I want to give my best for the club and build my platform towards next season.
"Then I will communicate with Manchester United closely, and we will see what's going to be best for me next season.
"But I want to play football. I don't want to just be somewhere sitting on the bench."
