Man United fans hail 'gem talent' as 20-year-old stars in club's first pre-season match while Erik ten Hag faces calls to give the youngster more chances

Eagle-eyed Manchester United supporters believe they have spotted the club's next top talent during Monday's opening pre-season clash ahead of the new season.

Erik ten Hag got his Premier League warm-up preparations underway with a trip to Norway and was later left seething when United were beaten by Rosenborg.

The United boss - who is now entering his third year in charge -  seethed that the performance in the friendly encounter 'was not the standard for top football,' but fans hailed the performance of one youngster.

Czech goalkeeper Radek Vítek was the only United star to play the entirety of the match at the Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim and made several top saves throughout.

The 20-year-old moved to United from Czech First League side Sigma Olomouc four years ago and has rose through the ranks of the academy while also featuring at youth level for his nation.

Fans were given a first senior glimpse of Vitek in the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana who didn't travel with the team ahead United's upcoming major tour of the United States.

A chaotic first-half saw Vitek called into making several saves as the 13-time Premier League champions sought to shake off the rest with some having not played since the FA Cip title triumph over Man City.

One particularly strong stop saw Vitek smother a strong close-range effort after United's defence had been unhinged. 

Fans reacting to the goalkeeper's performance on social media raved and called for Vitek to be handed more opportunities by Ten Hag in the upcoming season.

Commenting on the future star's outing, one fan posted on X: 'I mentioned this earlier about Vitek, I was admiring him in the first half. He's definitely a gem.'

Another similarly added: 'He's been unreal....and making unreal saves' after watching Vitek in action.

'Better than Onana,' said another United supporter who made the comparison between Vitek and the club's No.1.

United legend Ronny Johnsen heaped further praise on the shot-stopper, telling MUFC after the match: 'The saves he had were very important and, also for a goalkeeper, to come in and make saves like this in your first game is important.

'He has stood up and made himself big - which he is.'