Manchester United prodigy omitted from first-team squad list, summer exit inevitable; Scottish champions join the race

Radek Vitek, the 22-year-old goalkeeping talent of Manchester United, is set to leave in the summer window, with BBC's reliable Simon Stone stating that the parting of ways between Vitek and the Red Devils is "reasonably certain." Especially given that United have confirmed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow, 35, Vitek sees even less reason to stay.

Vitek's departure from Old Trafford next season has been internally confirmed by the club. On Manchester United's official website, his name was not included in the first-team squad list. The goalkeeping lineup under manager Carrick consists only of Senne Lammens, Altay Bayındır, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, and the already-loaned-out André Onana.

This further reinforces the decision to allow Vitek to leave. The options include another loan, which would require Vitek to agree to a contract extension given his current deal has only two years remaining, or a permanent transfer this summer, with a buy-back clause and a significant sell-on percentage included in the deal.

The Czech goalkeeper has previously been loaned out multiple times by United. He had an impressive half-season in League Two with Accrington Stanley, followed by a full season in the Austrian top flight, and then spent the last campaign at Bristol City, where his outstanding performances earned him all three of the club's Player of the Year awards.

After experiencing life as a starter, Vitek is now reluctant to waste his prime years sitting on the bench at a top club. He has publicly stated that his goal for the 2026/27 season is to continue getting regular playing time. That is not possible at United, where Belgian international Lammens is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper.

Therefore, Vitek is leaning towards a transfer. His wish will come true, as his impressive performances in Manchester United's pre-season this month will help attract more suitors. Several clubs are already monitoring Vitek, including the three newly promoted Premier League sides: Hull City, Ipswich Town, and Coventry City.

Among them, Hull City, after winning promotion via the playoffs, are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping position. They have swapped goalkeepers with Scottish side Rangers, bringing in former England international Jack Butland and sending Ivo Pandur to Rangers. The "Tigers" want to sign another goalkeeper, but Vitek may need to consider whether he would get enough playing time if he joins them.

Meanwhile, Football Insider reports that Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are also very interested in Vitek. Manchester United will work with Vitek to select the right destination. If it's a loan, they will ensure sufficient playing time; if it's a sale, they naturally hope for a higher fee.

At the same time, Carrick will also decide the futures of several other young players. The BBC reports that 19-year-old right winger Shea Lacey may not be loaned out. United hold him in high regard as an academy talent and believe he could play a role in the new season, so they intend to keep him. However, the fact that he is left-footed playing on the right wing does not favor his further development, as similar players like Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are already in the squad.

Another 19-year-old, left-back Harry Amass, impressed during the 2024/25 pre-season but was deemed too short by Erik ten Hag. After Ruben Amorim took over, Amass was loaned to the Championship, where he played for Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City, but suffered a serious hamstring injury that ended his season. Whether Amass can become Luke Shaw's primary backup remains to be seen, but with more matches next season, if he proves he has fully recovered, he might have a chance.

Other Manchester United academy players fighting for their futures include midfielder Toby Collyer and striker Obi Martin. With World Cup internationals having three weeks of holiday, many young United players will have the opportunity to showcase themselves in the first two pre-season matches: on July 18 in Helsinki against Wrexham, and on July 24 in Trondheim against Norwegian side Rosenborg.

If academy youngsters cannot prove themselves, they will have to leave. Data shows that during the last summer with a major tournament, former United manager Erik ten Hag used 13 academy players; of those, seven have already left, five have been loaned out at least once, and only Jack Fletcher has remained at United for the past two years.