Erik ten Hag’s clever answer when asked about Man Utd goalkeeper situation
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will not feel the pressure of making his debut for the club because he has previously played for Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Bayindir is in line for his first minutes for the Red Devils since his summer transfer when his side travel to Newport County in round four of the FA Cup on Sunday.
The 25-year-old has warmed the substitutes‘ bench since joining United, but with first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Ten Hag has confirmed Bayindir will be handed a first start for the club this weekend.
„He will be in the goal,“ Ten Hag said when asked if Bayindir will start on Sunday.
„What we can expect for him, he waits for his chance but he is experienced, played in a big club in Turkey under big pressure, he knows how to deal with it, we were convinced…so we are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is waiting for this moment and this is his moment.“
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Ten Hag was then asked if he believes Bayindir will be able to cope with the pressure of playing in the FA Cup, and the Dutchman came up with a witty but honest retort.
„You have been in Fenerbahce? Pressure,“ he replied. „Also, Turkey, that is big pressure always, also for the national team so he knows how to deal with it.“
Onana and Bayindir were both recruited by United over the summer, and though the Cameroonian has been Ten Hag’s undisputed number one to this point, he has made several glaring errors and there have been calls for him to be dropped.
Bayindir made 145 appearances for Fenerbahce prior to his move to Old Trafford and is expected to be part of Turkey’s squad for Euro 2024 later this year.