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.”
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