MATEJ KOVAR has been dubbed “Neuer 2.0” after shining on his debut for Bayer Leverkusen.
The Czech goalkeeper was sold by Manchester United for just £7.7million in the summer after five years at Old Trafford.
Kovar was handed his Leverkusen debut by Xabi Alonso on Thursday night, keeping a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Hacken.
He made six saves as his side brushed aside the Swedish champions in their opening Europa League group stage clash.
The 23-year-old has been praised for his performance on social media after seamlessly slotting into the Leverkusen line-up.
Kovar showed off his composure on the ball, range of passing and shot-stopping ability during his debut.
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Fans also compared him to Manuel Neuer after seeing his calmness when being closed down by opposition players.
“Neuer 2.0,” tweeted one fan.
Another simply wrote: “Baller.”
A third supporter also added: “Very good performance.”
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Meanwhile, an unhappy United fan fumed: “How we sold him is still beyond me.”
United signed Kovar from Czech side Slovacko back in 2018 whilst he was still just 17.
However, the youngster failed to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils despite being named in Premier League and Champions League matchday squads.
Instead, Kovar was loaned out to Swindon, Burton and Sparta Prague before being sold to Leverkusen in August.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
