Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was asked about Altay Bayindir during his pre-Galatasaray press conference.
Manchester United signed the club’s first ever Turkish player on transfer deadline day, buying Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce.
It was inevitable ahead of this week’s game with Galatasaray, that manager Erik ten Hag would be asked about him.
At his press conference, there was a question from a Turkish broadcaster, enquiring why Bayindir was not selected to start last week’s Carabao Cup tie.
Ten Hag explains Bayindir snub
Erik ten Hag responded to the question by explaining he had two new goalkeepers with the group, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
And he felt it was very important for Andre Onana to continue his adaptation to English football. Bayindir’s will come later.
Onana kept a clean sheet in the Carabao Cup tie, and so it all went to plan. Ten Hag said: “We chose in the League Cup to play Onana because he has to adapt to the England standard. It was important for him.”
Ten Hag impressed on Bayindir
Erik ten Hag added that he has been impressed with what he has seen from Altay Bayindir so far in training sessions.
He said: “Also we have to progress Altay, that’s clear, he’s made a very good impression in training and he’s really developing, so we’re really happy with it. We are convinced we have two bright goalkeepers.”
Bayindir is expected to be needed in early 2024, with Andre Onana potentially heading to the African Cup Of Nations in January.
Ten Hag could even end up giving Bayindir an opportunity in the Champions League at some stage. Whether that will be against Galatasaray tomorrow night, we will have to see.
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