Manchester United have loaned goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to Aston Villa once again. The 24-year-old had a very fruitful association with the Championship club last season. Jose Mourinho chose to send him on loan to the Villa Park where he went on to appear 22 times and established himself as the number one under Steve Bruce.
The former Manchester United player was heavily impressed with Johnstone’s performance and decided to recall the player once again. Johnstone was signed seven years ago but hasn’t managed to break into the senior team at Old Trafford as of yet.
Lack of action has been a block in his development. He had been to a number of clubs on loan and fared pretty well especially with Preston North End as he was influential behind their promotional campaign to the Championship in the 2014-15 season.
Currently, the goalkeeping situation at the Old Trafford is a bit tricky. David De Gea and Sergio Romero are respectively the number one and two while Portuguese teenager Joel Pereira has emerged as the new third choice for the Manchester based outfit.
It would be very hard for Johnstone to topple them to clinch a place in the starting lineup. Johnstone kept eight clean sheets last season and it seems he will be unleashed from the start of the next season.
This upcoming season could be the end of Johnstone’s long stay at the Old Trafford as he has moved to his penultimate year of his contract. The shot stopper has a contract till 2018 but hasn’t been offered a renewal yet. So it might be the end of his United career.
He could embrace this opportunity to bring some stability in his fluctuating career. Steve Bruce is looking for a permanent solution for his goal keeping problem and Johnstone could be his long term solution.
Middlesbrough were also looking to snatch Johnstone from the jaws of Villa as Garry Monk continues his hunt for a new number new one. But having played for Villa earlier, the young keeper’s preference was always a move to the Midlands.
Johnstone was pretty happy after sealing the move. “I am delighted to be back
“I really enjoyed my last spell here – it’s a great club with top players and passionate fans.”
Johnstone will have veteran defender John Terry guarding the Villa back line before him. The former Chelsea centre-back disassociated himself from the Stamford Bridge outfit in a bid to experience a final challenge in his career.
