Ondrej Mastny Archives - Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person

"I was sad": Former United keeper opens up on his struggles at Old Trafford

Alex Browne — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:00:39 +0000

Former Manchester United academy goalkeeper, Ondrej Mastny, has opened up on the difficulties he faced during his time at Old Trafford.

The Czech keeper joined the youth team in 2018 but was sold back to his former club in 2023 after never having made an appearance for the senior side.

The 22 year old now plays his football for FC Vysočina Jihlava back in his home country, making 12 appearances so far this season.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News (MEN), the former United keeper opened up on his struggles during his time in England.

“I was a bit down when I was in England and not playing. But I have got a second wind since I came home”.

Mastny was only 16 years old when he left his homeland in search of making it at Old Trafford.

However, disaster struck as he was injured early on in his debut season and failed to make a strong first impression at the club like he dreamed of doing.

“It was hard because it is a new country, new team, new environment and new people,” he said. “I am not the type of person who the room is for them. I am not the guy who just speaks to everyone, especially when I was 16 and didn’t speak the language”.

“I was hoping to play games and show what I can do on the pitch, which unfortunately I couldn’t. I was sad after that season, I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve. The next season was better, I played almost everything but then Covid came.”

Mastny could not travel back to his home country during the pandemic and lived with a host family during that difficult time.

However, the second season went much better before Covid, as he became a regular for the Under 18 and Under 21 teams, played in the UEFA Youth League, FA Youth Cup and Football League Trophy. He also had the opportunity to train with legendary United keeper, David de Gea.

Speaking on the experience he claimed, “it is always nice to have someone like him to support and encourage you. They (the first team goalkeepers) tried to help me and I tried to learn”.

The 22 year old was also proud of his ability to bounce back from a challenging first year and asserted, “I think I did well to come through the injuries and setbacks and the second season was almost a reward for it. Playing Youth Cup, Youth League, PL 2 and all those things. Being with the first team It is a great experience I would never forget”.

The keeper had the chance to stay at United last summer but a combination of lack of playing time and a chance to return home to his family was just too much to turn down.

“It definitely wasn’t easy (to leave),” he added. “I was thinking about it a lot but I was tired of not playing. I was away from family and friends and all I wanted to do was play. I wasn’t playing much and that was my main focus”.

Mastny now has the ambition to play his part in bringing his current side to the first division in the Czech Republic and make it back to one of Europe’s top leagues in the long-term future.

His confidence stems from the experience that he had collected from his time in Manchester.

“I feel more confident, 100 per cent. I have been at United so you have that thing where you are good at playing football! I have been my own since I was 16 in a different country, it made me stronger. I went through injuries and some hard times. I believe in myself”.

It is clear that the vast majority of players who play at youth level for United will never make it at the club, but the Red Devils have a proud tradition of their players going on to have successful careers elsewhere, even if they don’t make the grade at Carrington. Hopefully, Mastny does find his way back to a higher rung on the football ladder in the not too distant future.

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Official: Man United confirm another keeper’s exit as 21-year-old returns to home country

Derick Kinoti — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 18:00:04 +0000

Manchester have confirmed that goalkeeper Ondrej Mastny has left the club.

Via the club’s official website, United stated, “Ondrej Mastny is leaving Manchester United to rejoin former club FC Vysocina Jihlava, in a move that is subject to international clearance.”

“The 21-year-old goalkeeper is moving back to his native Czech Republic, after joining United from the second-tier side in 2018.”

They finished off their statement by thanking Mastny for his contributions at Old Trafford and wishing him all the best in his future endeavours.

He made 18 appearances for the Red Devils’ U-18s during the 2019/20 season.

His exploits that term helped Neil Ryan’s men advance to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

Mastny was subsequently promoted to the U-21’s ranks and made a senior appearance during a penalty shootout in the EFL against Rochdale.

The shot-stopper was part of a contingent of Czech Republic-based youngsters who played between the sticks for United.

Radek Vitek and Matej Kovar, who has also just left to join Bayer Leverkusen, are the other names in this respect.

Mastny has lined up for his country at various levels but he is yet to make his official bow in the senior XI.

The player spent the second half of last campaign out on loan at Northern Irish side Portadown to gain significant first-team experience.

He seemingly did not do enough to warrant an extended stay with the NIFL Championship outfit.

Mastny’s departure represents United’s continued upheaval of the goalkeeping department, which also saw David de Gea part ways with the 20-time English champions and Andre Onana signed in his place.

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Talented United prospect impresses in Ireland against all odds

Kuda Jinya — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 19:00:17 +0000

For many Manchester United starlets, the trip to Northern Island for the Milk Cup, now known as the Super Cup, is a rite of passage. The competition has been the breeding ground for talents such as David Beckham and, more recently, Marcus Rashford.

The Red Devils are a common feature of the tournament.

A recent visit with current club Portadown left on-loan Ondrej Mastny nostalgic for the 2016 edition of the tournament (via Manchester Evening News). The occasion was the catalyst for the young keeper’s move to United.

The rise and rise of Mastny

The United youngster is eager to get regular game time in the senior team. 21-year-old Mastny is focused on the present more than anything else, following a series of injuries that have slowed his progress. The Czech Republic shot-stopper was a regular for the Red Devils during their 2020 FA Youth Cup campaign. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the rising star also featured for the senior team traveling to Norwich and Wolves as the third-choice keeper.

Training and traveling with the first team gave Mastny invaluable experience. Some of his youth team peers (Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga) have graduated to the senior side.

Regarding the breakthroughs made by his contemporaries, the goalie says:

“It’s different in my position.”

“They usually go league by league and step by step unless you are someone like Donnarumma. But it is great to see them (Garnacho and Elanga) playing. There is a pathway.”

Mastny’s journey began at second-tier Czech club Vysocina Jihlava. He impressed, earning him a place in the national Academy set-up, eventually leading him to Northern Ireland and, ultimately, United.

Memories of his career path are vivid. The keeper recalls:

“I was 15 and played in the Super Cup.”

“After the tournament, I had a call from Man United, and in 2018 I started at United.”

Injury stricken

Despite being away from family, Mastny rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He impressed. He was a regular for the Under-18 side and soon graduated to become the first choice for the Under-23s. Quality performances also earned the young keeper first-team call-ups in 2020.

At that point, Mastny looked poised to enjoy a promising career at Old Trafford. He still might, but he has been temporarily hindered by injury.

“I was very unlucky with injuries,” he recalls.

“That stopped me the most. It wasn’t just one thing repeating itself; it was always something different – dislocated figures, my back. It was frustrating, and I didn’t get much continuous football. It was stop-start. Hopefully, that is behind me now.

“After injuries and all the hard times I have had to overcome, my main goal is to play as much as possible. I am not thinking too much into the future, with football it is hard to do. I just want to play as much as possible.”

Mastny’s stint in Northern Ireland has granted him his wish.

His journey has taken many twists and turns, encountered many bumps and challenges. For now, the youngster can focus on what he loves – playing football.

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Must-see wonderstrike from 15-year-old puts United to the sword

Colm Murphy — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 10:00:29 +0000

Manchester United’s senior side weren’t the only team in action last night, as the u23s took on Leeds United at Elland Road.

It was Leeds causing all the danger in the opening phases and, if not for a wonderful save from Ondrej Mastny, would have taken the lead in the 8th minute.

Jack Jenkins had won the ball in midfield and found a teammate on the right before bursting into the box for the return pass but the Leeds midfielder couldn’t beat Mastny from six yards out.

Leeds couldn’t be held out forever though and took the lead minutes later.

After dispossessing Zidane Iqbal in the midfield, Leeds worked the ball around United’s box before a blocked shot fell perfectly for Stuart McKinstry to guide into the far corner.

Leeds almost doubled the lead when Bjorn Hardley fluffed his lines, missing his clearance and allowing Crysencio Summerville in behind to chip over Mastny but it bounced agonisingly wide.

Long balls in behind were causing United trouble throughout the night as Summerville latched onto another ball and squared for Max Dean to strike just wide of the left post again.

In a half dominated by Leeds, a chance finally fell to Manchester United’s striker but D’Mani Mellor’s deft chip from close range was stopped by the keeper’s outstretched left hand.

The second half looked to see some more openings for Manchester with an early attempt from Shola Shoretire after being played into the box by Iqbal. But the Leeds keeper was there to deny again with a world-class save.

Hannibal Mejbri couldn’t handle the pressing from the Leeds midfield in the 60th minute, losing possession at the edge of United’s area and with one pass, Max Dean was through to side-foot into the back of the net.

Ten minutes later it was a calamity from Mastny as he looked to sweep up a long ball into the corner but his clearance went all wrong and landed straight to the feet of Archie Gray in the Leeds midfield.

The 15-year-old collected and struck from 35 yards, past the recovering Hardley who tried to cover the goalline.

"You beauty! Archie Gray take a bow!" pic.twitter.com/MOOdhg9VdU

— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 15, 2022

Unable to come back from such a deficit, United were left with nothing and are stuck in fifth place in the table. It is a quick turnaround though as United’s u23s will host Everton on Friday night.

United: Mastny , Wellens, Fernandez, Fish, Hardley, Svidersky (Emeran 61), Shoretire, Iqbal (Savage 61), Mellor , Mejbri, Garnacho (Hansen-Aaroen 75)

Unused subs: Vitek, Stanley

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