Manchester United benchwarmer frustrated and says his game time is ‘not enough’

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If there is one thing Manchester United does not have going for it, it’s the local Lancastrian weather.

The constant drizzle and clouds the colour of an elephant’s hide have even some of those local to the area suffering with the odd bout of seasonal affective disorder.

So, imagine how it feels to be a footballer used to the sunny climes of Spain, Portugal or Italy.

Angel di Maria’s wife famously described the Manchester weather as ‘horrible’. The legendary Nemanja Vidic, speaking to Four Four Two, admitted that those dark skies and unexpected rainshowers was the one thing he did not enjoy about life as a Manchester United player.

But you won’t find Altay Bayindir complaining.

• READ MORE: Who is Andre Onana? Delve into the life of Manchester United’s Cameroonian shot-stopper

Altay Bayindir has mixed feels about Manchester United spell

“It is good weather actually, for football,” Bayindir tells the official Man United website. “You can play fresh. If it’s warm, it’s a little bit difficult to play.

“I love the Manchester weather.”

Now, that is not a sentence many would expect to read. Certainly from a man who arrived in England from the sun splashed Istanbul back in 2023.

Now, that his not to say Altay Bayindir is 100 per cent delighted with how things have panned out for hm at Manchester United so far. The £4.3 million signing from Fenerbahce – who endured a difficult Euro 2024 – has played only once under Erik ten Hag after all.

And that came against fourth-tier Newport County in the FA Cup third-round eight months ago.

And, ahead of what he hopes will be a second United appearance when Barnsley arrive at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, Bayindir admits that a backseat role behind the nearly ever-present Andre Onana does get a little frustrating at times.

“You have to be ready for every match, because there are many matches,” Bayindir explains, determined to seize any rare opportunities that come his way. “I will be ready and – if I have a chance, if I am in goal – I will show up and do my best.

“I’m working hard at the training ground. It’s just that I want to play. I need more of a chance to take. Of course, it’s important for a player and I can say, in football, you have to do different things in training and in a game.”

Bayindir wants more chances under Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag will rest and rotate his squad when Darrell Clarke’s League One outfit come to town. Antony, Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Alejandro Garnacho are among those who could start, while Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley and the impressive Toby Collyer will also hope to feature in some capacity.

“I didn’t get (many) chances last year,” Bayindir adds. “I was just playing one game. And it is not enough for my personality. But, in life, anything can happen. You just need to be focused. You need to work hard, and everything can change in this life.

“Next step, next step, next step always. I’m thinking like this, and I will work hard always. I will be ready and, if I will get a chance, if I will be in goal, I will show myself and I will do my best.”

Bayindir could handle one season twiddling his thumbs on the bench.

If he is left out in favour of Onana against third-tier Barnsley, however, Bayindir could be forgiven for wondering if it may soon be time to pack up his poncho.