Manchester United 2018-19 Player Reviews: Lee Grant

Lee Grant only made one competitive appearance for Manchester United this season, as a substitute in a disastrous League Cup match against Derby County at Old Trafford. He did a good job filling in for Sergio Romero, who had been sent off to make sure that everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

Grant couldn’t keep out Derby’s Jack Marriott, or be a hero in the penalty shootout loss, but hey he tried his best, and that’s more than some other United players can say. A for effort and A+ for living the life. He gets paid £20,000 a week to train with, hang out with, and watch Manchester United from a great seat. Maybe not the best luxury this season, but there are definitely worse jobs. CD

Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

The life of a third-choice goalkeeper is a curious one. You are technically being paid to play football, but if you’re ever actually called on to actually play football, then something has gone horribly wrong. Third choice ‘keepers fall into two categories. There is the youngster who benefits from learning from the top pros in training, picking up tips and habits before going on prove himself elsewhere. And then there are the Lee Grants of the footballing world: journeymen stoppers who have racked up a decent career at various second-rate clubs, and who are able to parlay a few standout performances against bigger teams and a reputation as a good bloke into a late-career joy ride.

Lee Grant has made more appearances at Old Trafford as an opposition player than he has for the home team. We’re not totally sure that’s correct, but who’s going to bother to fact-check. Grant has gotten to watch United from the best seats in the house, traveled to Paris and Barcelona for work, all while being paid handsomely to do almost literally nothing. What a life. He also speaks Spanish, which is cool. BM