‘Couldn’t think of anything worse’ – West Brom star makes admission about former club
West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone said that he “couldn’t think of anything worse” than still being at Manchester United and not playing.
The 27-year-old was on the books at Old Trafford for nine years between 2009 and 2018 before making the move to The Hawthorns in the summer of 2018.
During that time he had seven loan moves away from the club and never made a senior appearance for the club.
Asked about current United back-up Dean Henderson, Johnstone said he did not miss being at Old Trafford and insisted that he was happy to be playing in the Premier League with West Brom.
He told the Goalkeepers’ Union podcast: “I couldn’t think of anything worse than being there (at Old Trafford) and not playing. You want to be playing as a ‘keeper.
“I was asked last week whether I missed United. I said ‘no’. I’m playing in the Premier League with West Brom. Deano had a great loan spell at Sheffield United, I can’t see him happy sitting down; all Dean wants to do is keep playing. It’s stalled.”
Johnstone has impressed in recent weeks for the Baggies, pulling off a series of good saves against his former club in West Brom’s 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford last month.
The England youth international ranks fourth in the division for save percentage, 73.7%, and has made more saves, 43, than any goalkeeper in the division (via FBRef).
He has made more than 100 league appearances for the club since arriving in 2018 and ranks first in the league this season in terms of post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed (via FBRef).
There has been some criticism of his decision making when coming off his line and he did cost his side a point against Tottenham Hotspur when he rushed off his line, only to see Harry Kane head the ball over him and into the empty net.
However, his shot-stopping has been second to none and Slaven Bilic will be hoping for some more heroics from his goalkeeper when the Baggies face Crystal Palace at The Hawthorns on Sunday.
In other West Brom news, why the Baggies are in the ideal position to add second win v Crystal Palace
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