Promotional image for the Tomasz Kuszczak episode of UTD Podcast

Tomasz Kuszczak: I wanted the no.1 jersey at United

Monday 02 November 2020 20:00

This week’s episode of UTD Podcast, available to listen to now, features former Manchester United goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Pole, who originally moved to Old Trafford on a season-long loan deal from West Brom in 2006, played 61 times for United over a six-year spell, before leaving in 2012.

While second choice to Edwin van der Sar for much of that period, Tomasz claimed a multitude of medals during his time in M16, including three Premier League titles and the 2007/08 Champions League.

He also appeared in the 2010 League Cup final at Wembley, helping United to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, for a fourth success in the competition overall.

In a bumper edition of the pod, TK talks us through his career, both before and after United.

In one particular segment, the 38-year-old, while disappointed to never become Sir Alex Ferguson’s number one, admitted that he was back-up to one of the finest goalkeepers of his generation.

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“If I had to lose against someone, or be stopped from getting the number one, it would be by a guy like Edwin.”

“I didn’t get what I really wanted. I wanted to be goalkeeper number one for Manchester United, but I respected that, because Edwin was a fantastic goalkeeper,” Tomasz told us.

“If I had to lose against someone, or be stopped from getting the number one, it would be by a guy like Edwin.

“Edwin is Edwin. I always said, even before I signed with Manchester United, for me he was one of the best, when I watched his games with Fulham and Ajax. When I was 11 years old, Edwin had already won the Champions League. What we’re talking about is a fantastic career for this guy. He played very well for a long time.

“I came and we’re talking about timing. Maybe I could have gone two years earlier or three years later and different stuff would happen, but I got an opportunity. Sir Alex trusted me and gave me a chance and I just signed the contract. I fought and I did my part, I think. I was always available for Sir Alex and the football club. When I was needed, I was there.”

Tomasz, who went on to play for Brighton, Wolves and Birmingham in the Championship, has been without a club since leaving the Blues in the summer of 2019.

He’s now back in his native Poland after 15 years in England, which started with him signing for West Brom in 2004.

A match-saving performance in a 1-1 draw with United the following year helped the Baggies stay in the Premier League and alerted Sir Alex to his abilities.

After moving to Old Trafford from The Hawthorns, Tomasz was struck by the mentality of first-team training at United and the dedication of one player in particular.

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TK liked getting to work early - but he was never earlier than these two!

“I loved [training],” he continued. “When I played at West Brom, I liked to wake up early and get to the training ground at like seven-thirty, eight o’clock.

“[When I joined United] I said ‘I’m going to impress here, I’m going to work hard and I’m going to come early’.

“I came in at seven o'clock but Cristiano was already there! At West Brom it didn’t happen like that – I was always first! Here I saw players with a different mentality.

“Sir Alex arrived at six, Cristiano arrived at seven. You didn’t want to be there before both of them!”

Listen to the Kuszczak episode of UTD Podcast here.

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