The Premier League campaign has some life again now the same needs to be replicated in Europe, starting with a tough away game at Fenerbahce.
The subplots to this game are many, not least Jose Mourinho facing Erik ten Hag for the first time with the Dutchman in the Man Utd manager seat that the Portuguese once used to hold.
Ex-United midfielder Fred is having a nice time at Fenerbahce and United will need to be aware, while last season’s FA Cup final hero Sofyan Amrabat has also found himself in Turkey.
The atmosphere for games in Turkey is always intense and they are regarded as a banana skin for even the most accomplished side.
For a Man Utd squad that has had its mentality questioned time and time again, it is the ultimate litmus test they need to pass.
Fortunately, Ten Hag has a trump card to unleash who is flying under the radar. He’s already said Fenerbahce is an away game for him in name only!
Erik ten Hag’s trump card
The best way to deal with the atmosphere and calm the teammates to help them get used to it is to have a player who has been there, and done that.
Therefore, if a player is saying the game in Fenerbahce is an away game for them in name only, that undoubtedly permeates through the squad.
That’s what Altay Bayindir has done. The Turkish goalkeeper spoke at length to Turkish outlet TRT Spor in the buildup to the game and said it’s a ‘special situation’ for him.
He said (via Hurriyet): It seems strange to me to call it an away game. Actually, it doesn’t seem like an away game to me. I’ll just be in a different dressing room.
“Playing against Fenerbahçe is a special situation for me. Not every player gets the chance. this match will be very special and meaningful. I experienced indescribable emotions in Fenerbahçe. I think a new one will be added to this.
“Every match I was in Fenerbahçe, I always tried to make the fans happy without ever running away or giving up the fight. I am very proud.”
Altay Bayindir should start vs Fenerbahce
Bayindir, of course, joined Old Trafford from Fenerbahce last summer but has since managed only two appearances.
Erik ten Hag has preferred playing Andre Onana, especially last season as the Cameroonian struggled to get to grips with playing his new team.
Now, though, Onana is showing his full skills and looks like a confident player who knows he belongs as the United No 1.
Therefore, Ten Hag can afford to rotate not just to preserve Onana in case a freak accident happens, but also because the team is in a position where the backup goalkeeper can play without sacrificing the rhythm of the side.
Onana had to remain the one constant as players around him fell like flies due to injuries last season but that’s not the case this year.
Most importantly, as Bayindir said himself, he knows what it takes to play at Fenerbache, and that confidence and familiarity breeds more of the same in the teammates too.
He was a calm and composed hand in the Carabao Cup appearance, his sole game this season, and this fixture is the best chance to give him his second game while also helping United tackle the Fenerbahce hostile atmosphere.
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