Manchester United have added another surprise name to Erik ten Hag’s training roster following Jonny Evans’ comeback in the summer.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly invited former Aberdeen custodian Joe Lewis, among other surprising names, to first-team training at Manchester United. If the experienced custodian performs well at Carrington this summer, he may become the next Jonny Evans, signing a short-term contract.
Lewis joined the team in December to keep up his fitness levels, according to the Manchester Evening News, and has only sometimes participated in first-team training since then.
The 36-year-old, who lost his first-choice status to Kelle Roos during the 2022–2023 season, is without a club after leaving Aberdeen in the summer with one year remaining on his contract.
It’s also said that he wanted to utilise the Carrington facilities last year and was granted permission to train with the first squad after speaking with one of United’s coaches.
Lewis is said to have regularly participated in academy training to stay in shape, but he has also appeared with the senior team when they have needed more goalkeepers.
Just this week, he has joined the youthful tandem of Dermot Mee and Kie Plumley in doing so as Ten Hag gets his team ready for Sunday’s difficult journey to Aston Vila.
According to the report, Lewis participated in a training session on Monday with Altay Bayindir and the players who did not start the team’s 3-0 victory over West Ham United over the weekend.
Lewis, a Suffolk native, joined Aberdeen in 2016 from Cardiff City and stayed for seven years, preserving 94 clean sheets in 272 games.
Despite not playing a single game for Norwich City, he began his career as an academy graduate.
The England U21 international joined Peterborough United permanently the following year after serving two loan stints at Stockport County and Morecambe in 2007.
Lewis arrived in Cardiff four years and eighteen2 games later, although he went through a difficult period before finishing his two years at the club on loan at Blackpool and Fulham before relocating to Scotland.
Lewis might have come to United at the ideal moment. Given that Heaton is anticipated to go when his contract expires in June, there is a chance.
According to reports, Ten Hag intends to play regular football in his latter years. As a result, he will need an experienced third custodian to cover Andre Onana and Bayindir. Ten Hag is 37 years old.
Lewis might be a simple fix if he makes a good first impression, which might lead to a dream move in his later years if he’s prepared to give up playing time.
After leaving Leicester City last summer, Evans came back to Carrington to become fit again and ultimately signed a one-year deal.
Due to injury, he has played significantly more than anticipated this season, tying the 36-year-old record for most appearances at United with 19.
