Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Goal how former Derby County goalkeeper Lee Grant has a world-class attitude before confirming his place in the team.
United travel to Kazakhstan to face Astana in the Europa League.
The Red Devils have already qualified for the next stage, allowing Solskjaer to make some changes. Three youngsters will be handed a first start, as will Grant.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday, the Norwegian boss claims he has the perfect goalkeeping department with Grant a fantastic option to call upon.
For a manager like me to have Lee [Grant] to call upon it’s fantastic. He has a world-class attitude. He’s probably the fittest of the keepers. He always does extra. He’s a 36-year-old going on 26. I’ve got the perfect goalkeeping department.
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How Lee Grant ended up at Manchester United:
Grant came through the Derby youth academy and went on to make 170 Championship appearances over two spells. He last featured for the Rams in 2015-16.
Derby sold the 36-year-old to Stoke City for £1.3 million in 2016. He made 31 Premier League appearances for the Potters before joining United in 2018.
Grant was one of a few goalkeepers to join a top Premier League club as third-choice. Another former Ram, Scott Carson, is in a similar position at Manchester City.
Ironically, Grant’s only appearance for United to date came against Derby in the League Cup tie at Old Trafford last season. The Rams won on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Grant’s role at United has allowed the club to send Joel Castro Pereira and Dean Henderson out on loan for experience. The latter is a regular at Sheffield United.
Grant’s contract at Old Trafford expires next summer. Derby, meanwhile, will seek a new goalkeeper next summer to provide much-needed competition for Kelle Roos.
Also see: Could Derby’s reported transfer decision pave the way to sign Celtic history-maker?
Also see: ‘Needs dropping; 0/10’: Some Derby fans slam 27-year-old in Fulham defeat