Shay Given: Permanent move to Aston Villa would suit Sam Johnstone
Shay Given reckons Sam Johnstone signing a permanent deal at Villa this summer would make sense for both club and player.
Former Villa shot-stopper Given believes Johnstone would be best served quitting Manchester United after a season where he has starred while on loan in the Championship.
The 25-year-old has kept 20 clean sheets in 45 appearances and now has a key role to play if Villa are to win promotion through the play-offs.
Boss Steve Bruce has made no secret of his desire to sign Johnstone on a permanent deal, while the keeper himself has also hinted his future may now lie away from Old Trafford.
In an interview with 888sport Given, who spent four seasons at Villa between 2012 and 2016, said: “He’s probably one of their players of the season along with Jack Grealish and it’s important that Villa try to tie him down.
“I don’t know what the situation is at Man United and what their thoughts are – whether they want him for the long-term – but Sam Johnstone will have the taste now for first team football and at a big club like Aston Villa.
“He won’t want to go back to being No.2 or No.3 at United. At this stage of his career he will want to continue moving up and not take a backward step.
“Although Manchester United is a great club, if you don’t play regularly it is very disheartening and especially after such a great season he’s had at Villa.
“David de Gea is one of the best in the world and Sam is not going to force his way past him so he’s got a strong case in going to Mourinho and saying that he wants to carry on playing every week and progressing.
“So, a permanent deal makes sense. He’s got a great future ahead of him.”
Villa have meanwhile sold out their 2,000 allocation for Saturday’s play-off semi-final first-leg at Middlesbrough.
