MX23RW : Wednesday, April 16 02:17:28| >> :120:11505:11505:

Experienced goalkeeper Joe Lewis 'trains with Manchester United's first team'

Experienced goalkeeper Lewis 'trains with Man United's first team'
© Reuters
Experienced goalkeeper Joe Lewis allegedly trains with Manchester United's first team ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Experienced goalkeeper Joe Lewis is reportedly currently training with Manchester United's first team, having been without a club since leaving Aberdeen last summer.

The former England Under-21s international started his professional career with Norwich City, but he failed to make the breakthrough at Carrow Road and left for Peterborough United in 2008.

A successful spell saw Lewis make 190 appearances for the Posh, playing in League Two, League One and the Championship, before moving to Cardiff City in 2012, spending four years with the Welsh outfit.

The goalkeeper played in the Premier League during his time at Cardiff, but he left the club for Aberdeen in 2016, featuring on 271 occasions for the Scottish team in all competitions.

Having only made four appearances in 2022-23, he left on a free transfer last summer, and according to the Manchester Evening News, the stopper has been training with Man United since December.

Joe Lewis in action for Aberdeen on December 2, 2018© Reuters

The report claims that Lewis is not on a contract at the club and largely trains with the academy side, but he has recently been used for first-team training.

Lewis allegedly took part in a session alongside fellow stoppers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton in the aftermath of Sunday's 3-0 win over West Ham United.

At this stage, it is unclear of the club's plans for the former Norwich youngster, but Heaton is expected to leave on a free transfer this summer, opening the door for a new number three to arrive.

Andre Onana allegedly still has the full backing of the club despite an indifferent first campaign, while Bayindir, who made his Red Devils debut against Newport County in the FA Cup on January 28, is the number two.

Manchester United's Andre Onana celebrates after saving a penalty missed by Copenhagen on October 24, 2023© Reuters

Lewis has not played regular football since the 2021-22 campaign, but it is understood that he has no plans to retire and will assess his future this summer.

Man United allowed Jonny Evans to train with them last summer, with the Northern Ireland international expected to remain with the academy side to build his fitness.

However, Evans's performances and presence at the training ground convinced the club to hand him a contract until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 36-year-old has been a regular for Erik ten Hag's side this season, making 19 appearances in all competitions, including 14 outings in the Premier League.

ID:536166:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4772:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Altay Bayindir

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir on September 3, 2023
Read Next:
Ten Hag confirms Bayindir debut against Newport County
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool32237274314376
2Arsenal321712357273063
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest32176951381357
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle31175956401656
5Manchester CityMan City32167962422055
6Chelsea32159856391754
7Aston Villa3215984946354
8Bournemouth321391052401248
9Fulham32139104743448
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32121285149248
11Brentford32127135248443
12Crystal Palace311110104140143
13Everton32814103438-438
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd32108143845-738
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs321141760491137
16Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32105174761-1435
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham3298153654-1835
18Ipswich TownIpswich3249193367-3421
19Leicester CityLeicester3246222772-4518
20Southampton3224262377-5410


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!