Sam Johnstone in goal for Man Utd against San Jose Earthquakes during pre-season
The 22-year-old racked up 208 minutes in goal for United over four games during the recent tour of the USA
With Louis van Gaal unsure of David de Gea's fitness and committment to the Manchester United cause over ahead of the new season, Sam Johnstone was granted plenty of opportunities to impress. While an appearance against Spurs would consistitute his most significant contribution for the Old Trafford club to date, he played as a substitute against Barcelona, having started the games against Club America andSan Jose Earthquakes.
Ended last season on loan at home-town club Preston
Johnstone's six months on loan at Preston North End last season were an unmitigated success. While Simon Grayson's side missed out on promotion automatically, their play-off campaign was as smooth as one can be. Inspired by Jermaine Beckford's three goals, Preston put Swindon Town to the sword in a 4-0 win. Johnstone now has a Wembley win and a promotion to his name.
Has made 70 league appearances during loans at Scunthorpe, Yeovil, Walsall, Doncaster and Preston
The Premier League is a step up from the level Johnstone has been playing at, but he is not without first team experience over his career. At the age of 18 he was loaned out to Oldham, where he made two pre-season appearances before his loan was terminated. Later the same season, he joined Scunthorpe United, playing 12 times as part of an emergency loan spell. Since then, he has been farmed out to the likes of Walsall, Yeovil Town, Doncaster Rovers and, most recently, Preston.
Has represented England at Under-16, 17, 19 and 20s, but yet to play for the Under-21s
The goalkeeper has had success at international level too. Johnstone was part of the victorious England squad that won the European Under-17 Football Championship in 2010, alongside the likes of Ross Barkley, Benik Afobe, and Saido Berahino. He won a cap for the Under-19s shortly after, and has gone on to have involvement with England's Under-20s. Johnstone hasn't, however, played for the national side at any level since 2013.
Goalkeeping runs in the family for Johnstone
Sam Johnstone's father, Glenn, also represented Preston North End during the early 1990s. He played 10 games for his local side in between spells with non-league teams Lancaster City and Morecambe. While Johnstone Sr. never went beyond that spell in the lower divisions with Preston, he clearly imparted some of his goalkeeping knowledge on the 22-year-old.
Source : Telegraph
