Grant is up for chance of the big time
ONLY a few months ago, Lee Grant was on the bench as Stoke headed for relegation from the Premier League. On Wednesday, aged 35, he is set to play for Manchester United against European champions Real Madrid.
Grant is under no illusions about the reason for his £1.5million transfer to Old Trafford. He has been signed as third- choice goalkeeper to David De Gea and Sergio Romero, as Joel Pereira gets first-team experience out on loan.
It still came as quite a surprise when Jose Mourinho made his move after Grant played just five games for Stoke last season.
De Gea’s late arrival on tour and the injury that ruled Romero out of the World Cup mean that Grant and Pereira have shared the goalkeeping duties on tour in America.
They were due to play one half each against Liverpool in front of 100,000 fans in Michigan in the early hours of this morning and could do again when United meet Real in their final tour game in Miami.
Grant knows his place in the spotlight will be shortlived. ‘I’m old enough and ugly enough to understand the role I’m coming in to do,’ he said.
‘I’m at a football club that has the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and Argentina’s No1 goalkeeper on the books. I know what I have to contend with. I’m also certain I can offer something to the football club.’
Even so, the boyhood United fan’s journey via Derby, Burnley, Oldham and Sheffield Wednesday to Old Trafford is something of a dream come true.
‘You can’t describe it in any other way,’ Grant said.
‘I got a phone call and was asked if it was something I would be interested in. If it’s Man United, the answer is pretty short and sweet.’