Manchester United's new goalkeeper Janina Leitzig has revealed an unexpected passion away from the pitch: gardening. The 27-year-old German shot-stopper, who joined United this summer, spoke about her love of growing vegetables during her three-and-a-half-year stint at Leicester City, a hobby she says helped combat the isolation of life as a professional athlete far from home.
"I love to do some gardening. Back home, everyone has their own vegetables and it's just better, it tastes better," Leitzig said. "Being away from home and away from family, of course you have your football friends, but still it can be quite lonely sometimes if you come home from training, so it was really nice to have a garden and to spend time outside. It's not too much effort, it's just a nice hobby."
While she currently doesn't have a garden of her own following her move north, Leitzig made the most of her off-season by surfing in Cornwall before pre-season training began in earnest. United are set to travel to La Manga for a training camp from 14 to 19 August as preparations intensify.
The former Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim keeper explained what drew her to Old Trafford, having signed a contract running until 2029. "It's such a big club and it's such a big honour to be here," she said. "I think, for every player, it's really interesting if you have an offer from Manchester United. First of all, the team is so nice. The characters in here – you can tell it's a really good and strong team. The training quality is really high. The building and the facilities [at Carrington] are really good; it's really professional here."
Her arrival came before Eva Olid was confirmed as United's new head coach. Leitzig departs Leicester with warm memories despite the club's relegation from the Women's Super League last season, a blow she described as painful given how much the club deserved better. She initially arrived on loan in January 2023 before making the move permanent that summer. "It was such a special time for me. It was supposed to be only half a year and then it ended up being three-and-a-half. I think that says a lot about how much I liked it there," she said, adding hope that Leicester bounce back to the WSL swiftly.
On the tactical side of her position, Leitzig — who idolises German compatriot Manuel Neuer and began her career as an outfield player — reflected on how goalkeeping has evolved during her time in English football. She believes the emphasis on ball-playing goalkeepers may have peaked and is now giving way to more traditional priorities. "I think there was a phase where it was too much... it's coming back now to be more about the basic stuff," she explained, predicting a shift toward quicker transitions rather than high-risk build-up play. Still, she stressed that shot-stopping remains her favourite part of the job.
At Manchester United, Leitzig will compete with USA international Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who started 21 of United's 22 WSL matches last season, for the No. 1 jersey. Leitzig framed the competition positively, saying the pair aim to push each other to improve. "It's really important that we are a good goalkeeper team, that we support each other and push each other because then everyone can get better," she said.
United, who finished fourth in the WSL last term, open their new campaign away at London City Lionesses on 4 September, a fixture Leitzig is already anticipating. "To have the first game of the season Friday evening, 7pm, floodlights, it's just something you're really excited for," she said.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.