I was sad and tired at Manchester United but it made me stronger and I'll prove them wrong

Ondrej Mastny has a spring in his step.

The young goalkeeper is back in his homeland having left Manchester United in the summer. While he loved and appreciated his time and chances at Old Trafford, he’s happier back in the Czech Republic with regular football the main reason why.

"I was a bit down when I was in England and not playing," the 22-year-old admitted, speaking to the Manchester Evening News. "But I have got a second wind since I came home."

Mastny moved to Manchester at 16. He didn’t speak English and was far from family and friends. Naturally a quiet teenager, he wanted to make his mark with his performances.

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Injury robbed him of the chance in his first season, the Covid pandemic interrupted his promising second. Plenty would have buckled but Mastny stood tall and fought on.

He became a regular for the Under 18 and Under 21 teams, played in the UEFA Youth League, FA Youth Cup and Football League Trophy. Training sessions with the first team followed, where David de Gea was an invaluable help with pointers, advice and encouragement.

"It is always nice to have someone like him to support and encourage you," said Mastny. "They (the first team goalkeepers) tried to help me and I tried to learn."

The learning started early, as much away from football as on the pitch.

"It was hard because it is a new country, new team, new environment and new people," he said. "I am not the type of person who the room is for them. I am not the guy who just speaks to everyone, especially when I was 16 and didn't speak the language.

"I was hoping to