Manchester United target Darlow and Johnstone as Vitek edges toward exit

Manchester United are targeting Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow and former academy product Sam Johnstone as backup options, with the club bracing for the potential departure of 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

Vitek returned to Carrington after an impressive loan spell at Bristol City but has made clear he has no interest in a reserve role. Newly-promoted Hull City are among the clubs monitoring his situation, and United accept that a permanent sale could be the most sensible outcome — though they would prefer to keep him on loan if he agrees to a new contract. Without a deal, 40-year-old Tom Heaton would be Senne Lammens’ only backup, a scenario the club are keen to avoid.

With Andre Onana apparently having no long-term future at Old Trafford and Altay Bayindir available for transfer, United need to reshape their entire goalkeeping department. Darlow and Johnstone fit the brief: both are experienced Premier League operators and would count toward the club’s homegrown quota.

Darlow, 35, was first choice at Leeds last season and played a significant part in keeping them in the Championship. He is out of contract imminently, making him an immediately available and cost-effective option. Johnstone, 33, came through United’s own academy before leaving in 2018 after seven loan moves, famously acknowledging that David de Gea’s dominance left him no realistic path to the first team. His contract at Wolves — who were relegated to the Championship — runs until 2028.

“Of course leaving United was a tough call, but when you’ve done your loans, banked the experience and David De Gea is still there at No.1 every time you return, you can’t wait around forever,” Johnstone said in 2021. “Deep down I knew I wasn’t going to play for Manchester United and I had to go down a different route.”

A return to Old Trafford would close a circle that began in United’s academy, this time under manager Michael Carrick — who was a first-team regular at the club during the years Johnstone was working his way through the youth ranks.