Manchester United ‘have added a surprise goalkeeper to first-team training squad to build fitness after his recent release’ ahead of the Premier League clash against Aston Villa
- United third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton could leave at the end of the season
- Back-up Altay Bayindir made his only appearance in FA Cup win over Newport
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Manchester United have reportedly included a surprise veteran goalkeeper to their first-team training sessions at Carrington when they need extra shot stoppers to make the numbers.
The Old Trafford club secured an impressive 3-0 victory against West Ham on Sunday which saw them leapfrog the Hammers into sixth place in the Premier League.
Despite being largely comfortable, first-choice stopper Andre Onana was made to work for his clean sheet with a smart save early on when the scoreline was goalless.
The Cameroonian has attracted plenty of unwanted headlines this term but it is another keeper that has sparked intrigued following his shock inclusion in a few first-team training sessions over the last couple of months.
According to the Manchester Evening News, former Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis has reportedly been sporadically involved with the first team since joining the club in December to maintain his fitness.
Former Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis has been training with Manchester United’s academy since December
Third-choice keeper Tom Heaton is likely to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season
The 36-year-old spent seven years at Pittodrie, rising to club captain, but left Aberdeen in the summer after losing his first-team place to Dutch goalkeeper Kelle Roos.
Lewis, who spent his youth career at Norwich City, and also made 190 appearances for Peterborough United, lives locally to the Manchester United training ground, and began taking part in academy training last year.
The report goes on to claim that he took part in a session this week among players who did not start the Hammers win alongside back-up goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, ahead of the trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Back-up Altay Bayindir (right) made his only appearance for the club this season in the FA Cup
Furthermore, Lewis reportedly does not have a contract with United and predominantly trains with the club’s youngsters.
Third-choice goalkeeper Heaton is likely to leave the Old Trafford club at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Turkish keeper Bayindir, signed from Fenerbahce for £4.3million in the summer, has made just one appearance, which came in the 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport County when Onana was on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
