The agent of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has lashed out at Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, as the United goalkeeper crisis takes a new and somewhat unexpected twist.
Sam Johnstone agent hits out at Van Gaal
Johnstone's agent told the Daily Mail that “he is a young goalkeeper and it is time for him to play regularly.” The agent goes on to say “if that is not at Manchester United then it has to be elsewhere.”
It is clear that Johnstone and his agent are furious at the fact that the keeper requested to go out on loan during pre-season and yet after the transfer window has shut, he is still not at a new club on loan soaking in valuable game time. Instead, he is stuck in the Manchester United goalkeeping crisis and with both De Gea and Valdes staying it means that in reality he is fourth choice keeper to get any game time. As a result his chances of even getting a minute of game time is zero to none for this coming season.
Johnstone spent last year at Preston North End
Sam Johnstone, who has in fact represented England at the Under 16, 17, 18 and 20 level, was sent out on loan to Preston North End last season and enjoyed a very good season. He even kept a clean sheet in the League One Playoff Final but despite the home ground of Preston North End being just under an hour’s drive away from Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal did not send out a single member of staff to watch Johnstone at Deepdale. A rare occurrence when it comes to loaning players.
Pre-season tour showing for Johnstone
The fact that Sam Johnstone was not even given a chance to prove himself against Tottenham in the opening game of the season, despite Sergio Romero only being at the club for 10 days. Is made even more bizarre if you add in the fact that he played the most minutes in Manchester United’s pre-season tour of America.
The 22-year-old did not put a foot wrong on the pre-season tour, but has still seen himself without any match time, even being dropped in favour of Sergio Romero who had only been at the club for 10 days and did not have a single minute of pre-season game time under his belt.