Manchester United have now appeared to make a U-turn on the role of one Erik ten Hag signing under manager Ruben Amorim, according to stunning reports.
Erik ten Hag’s reign at Old Trafford as Manchester United manager came to an end in October 2024 after the Red Devils’ poor start to the Premier League season.
The 54-year-old former Ajax boss’ sacking paved the way for United to activate the release clause in Ruben Amorim’s Sporting CP contract.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager under Erik ten Hag, took over as United interim manager after his Dutch compatriot was axed from Old Trafford.
Amorim arrived at the Premier League club at the start of the November international break in 2024 and Ruud van Nistelrooy made his subsequent exit.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager was left with the tricky task of navigating the remainder of the 2024-25 Premier League season with Ten Hag’s United squad.
Man Utd and Amorim on Ten Hag signing
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is likely to have to wait until the summer window before any major signings arrive at Old Trafford.
The January transfer window could still see the exit of current first-team United players and the Red Devils have changed their stance on an Erik ten Hag signing.
Altay Bayindir produced arguably the best United performance of his career on Sunday in the penalty shootout win over Arsenal in the FA Cup at the Emirates.
The 26-year-old Turkish shot-stopper saved a spot-kick in the second half of the third-round tie before saving another penalty in the shootout.
According to The Daily Mail, United are now keen to keep hold of Altay Bayindir and a potential exit in January ‘now seems unlikely to happen’ for the United player.
Bayindir’s turnaround at Man Utd
Altay Bayindir has been left to play second fiddle to United No 1 Andre Onana for the large majority of his time at Old Trafford.
Former United manager Ten Hag brought the Turkey international to the Red Devils in 2023 after he was signed from Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
Bayindir was met with fierce criticism towards the end of 2024 after he conceded from a direct corner against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
The former Fenerbahce man has made four appearances across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign, including playing three matches in the Carabao Cup run.
Bayindir played under Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ten Hag and Amorim this season, but the United shot-stopper was linked with a January exit in recent weeks.
The Daily Mail reports that Bayindir is expected to be back between the sticks for United’s fourth-round FA Cup tie against Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City in February.
According to the newspaper, Amorim ‘will feel more comfortable’ by using Bayindir in the Premier League or the Europa League if Andre Onana is unavailable.
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