Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has welcomed free agent Joe Lewis to train with the first team.
The 36-year-old goalkeeper, who last played for Aberdeen, is keeping fit while he looks for a new club, the Mirror reports. Despite having only one Premier League game under his belt from his time at Cardiff City, and no senior England appearances, Lewis is training alongside United’s backup keepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
However, there’s no hint that this will lead to a contract offer. Lewis had a successful stint with Aberdeen, making over 200 appearances in the Scottish top flight.
“I’ve got so many good memories here at Aberdeen, both on and off the field, and I’ve made many friends within the club, so it feels quite emotional to be moving,” Lewis shared when he left Aberdeen last summer.
“I have no regrets; I’ve always tried my hardest every time I wore the shirt and I’m enormously proud to have captained the club and played as many games as I did.
“The supporters took to me immediately and during the last seven years have stuck with me through thick and thin so I’d sincerely like to thank them. The people of Aberdeen in general have been so welcoming to my family so whilst we’ll be leaving the city, we won’t be strangers.”
United welcomed Bayindir and Andre Onana to their team last summer, but also let several keepers go. Dean Henderson was sold to Crystal Palace and Matej Kovar joined Bayer Leverkusen, while David de Gea left as a free agent after his contract expired.
Heaton is one of the players who stayed at Old Trafford, with the club triggering a one-year extension. However, before that happened, he cast doubt over his longer-term future at Old Trafford.
“I love it here,” he said. “I have been part of this football club for a long time, but I can’t lie, I also love playing. We will have a sit down and chat and see where we go.”
United are rumoured to be eyeing a new goalie this summer, but they’ll be playing second fiddle to top pick Onana. Meanwhile, Lewis is using the opportunity to stay on his toes for his next contract offer.