Erik ten Hag includes free agent in Man Utd first-team training after request
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has allowed Joe Lewis to train with his senior squad as the veteran goalkeeper looks to keep up his fitness levels.
Lewis, 36, has been without a club since leaving Aberdeen at the end of last season. The England under-21 international played his only Premier League game a decade ago, while at Cardiff City, while his only senior England call-up in 2008 didn't result in any game time under Fabio Capello.
The veteran had been working on his fitness with United's under-21s before the turn of the year, according to the MEN, but more recently asked to join the seniors. His request was granted by Erik ten Hag, with the same publication reporting that Ten Hag allowed Lewis to join backup keepers Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton in a session for players not involved from the start against West Ham on Sunday.
United are relatively well-stocked in goal, with no indication Lewis' training will lead to a contract offer. However, veteran defender Jonny Evans was able to earn a deal at Old Trafford after initially coming in to train alongside senior squad members.
Lewis spent seven years with Aberdeen, making more than 200 appearances in the Scottish top flight. He also made more than 20 European appearances for the club, the last of them coming in a 2021-22 Europa Conference League defeat to Qarabag.
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“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 said upon leaving 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."
Is there any chance of Joe Lewis earning a Man Utd deal? Give your thoughts in the comments section
Lews' only senior England call-up came back in 2008 (Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)United added Bayindir and Andre Onana to their ranks last summer, but also allowed several keepers to leave the club. 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 remained 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 have been tipped to add at least one new goalkeeper over the summer, though anyone coming in would do so knowing they're arriving as a back-up to first-choice Onana. For now, though, Lewis is taking advantage of the situation to stay sharp for whenever his next contract offer comes around.
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