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Former Manchester United academy goalkeeper, Ondrej Mastny has spoken brazenly in regards to the difficulties he confronted throughout his time at Previous Trafford.
The Czech keeper joined the youth group in 2018, however was bought again to his former membership in 2023 after by no means showing for the senior group.
The 22-year-old now performs soccer in his house nation for FC Vysokina Jihlava and has made 12 appearances to date this season.
Chatting with Manchester Night Information (MEN), the previous United keeper opened up about his struggles throughout his time in England.
“I used to be a bit unhappy after I was in England and never enjoying. However since I got here house I’ve bought a second wind.”
Mastani was solely 16 when he left his homeland seeking making it at Previous Trafford.
Nevertheless, catastrophe struck as he was injured early in his first season and didn’t make a robust first impression on the membership as he had dreamed of doing.
“It was troublesome as a result of it’s a new nation, new group, new surroundings and new folks,” he mentioned. “I'm not the kind of one that has room for that. I'm not the man who talks to everybody, particularly since I used to be 16 and didn't communicate the language.”
“I hoped to play video games and present what I can do on the pitch, which sadly I couldn't do. I used to be unhappy after that season, I couldn't obtain what I wished to realize. The subsequent season was higher, I performed nearly all the things however then Covid got here.”
Mastni couldn’t return to his house nation in the course of the pandemic and stayed with a bunch household throughout that troublesome time.
Nevertheless, the second season went a lot better earlier than Covid, as he turned a daily for the Beneath 18 and Beneath 21 groups, enjoying within the UEFA Youth League, FA Youth Cup and Soccer League Trophy. He additionally had the chance to coach with legendary United keeper David De Gea.
Talking on his expertise he claimed, “It at all times feels good to have somebody like him to help and encourage you. They (the primary group goalkeepers) tried to assist me and I attempted to be taught.”
The 22-year-old was additionally happy with his potential to bounce again after a difficult first 12 months and mentioned, “I believe I overcame accidents and setbacks to carry out properly and the second season was nearly a reward for that. Enjoying Youth Cup, Youth League, PL2 and all the things else. Being with the primary group is a good expertise that I’ll always remember.”
The keeper had the prospect to remain at United final summer time however the lack of enjoying time and the chance to return house to his household was too nice to show down.
“It (quitting) positively wasn't simple,” he mentioned. “I used to be fascinated with it rather a lot however I used to be bored with not having the ability to play. I used to be away from household and mates and I simply wished to play. I wasn't enjoying a lot and that was my most important focus”.
Mastny now has ambitions to play his half in bringing his present group again into the primary division within the Czech Republic and into one in all Europe's prime leagues within the long-term future.
His confidence stems from the expertise he has gathered from his time in Manchester.
“I really feel one hundred pc extra assured. I've been at United so that you've bought that factor the place you're good at enjoying soccer! I’ve been residing in a unique nation since I used to be 16, it has made me stronger. I went by means of accidents and a few robust occasions. I consider in myself”.
It’s clear that almost all of gamers who play at youth degree for United won’t ever make it to the membership, however the Crimson Devils have a proud custom of their gamers happening to profitable careers elsewhere, even when they don’t make the grade at Carrington. Hopefully, Mastani will discover a approach again to the next rung on the soccer ladder within the close to future.
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