Erik ten Hag has detailed why one of his new goalkeepers has not made his Manchester United debut yet, with Andre Onana starting every match in all competitions this season
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Man Utd train ahead of Galatasaray
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has admitted that he is “very happy” with summer signing Altay Bayindir despite not playing him in the Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
Ten Hag decided to use Martin Dubravka in the third and fourth round of the same competition against Aston Villa and Burnley last season, while Tom Heaton was used for the quarter-final win. United went on to win the Carabao Cup, with David de Gea in goal for the 2-0 success over Newcastle.
But, for the third round of the 2023-24 tournament against Palace last Tuesday, Ten Hag chose to stick with first-choice Andre Onana, rather than playing Bayindir. The Turkey international has not yet made an appearance for the Red Devils since his move from Fenerbahce on deadline day.
Ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray, a Turkish journalist quizzed Ten Hag about why Bayindir did not start over Onana. “You will see [if Bayindir gets a chance to play soon], but we chose against Crystal Palace in the League Cup to play Andre because both came new in and both have to adapt to the English standard,” Ten Hag explained. “So that’s why we preferred Andre to play in that game.
“It’s important for him to use every game in this moment, but yeah, we also have to progress Altay, that’s clear. He makes a very good impression in training, he’s really developing, progressing. So we’re very happy with that and we are convinced we have the two right goalkeepers in our squad to do the job for us.”
Altay Bayindir has not made an appearance for Manchester United yet (
Image:
Getty Images)
Following the summer departure of De Gea, Ten Hag decided to bring in Onana from Inter Milan, with Bayindir joining Heaton to complete United’s goalkeeping department. Onana has made a shaky start to life at Old Trafford, though he has conceded just once in his last three matches.
As for United, they face Galatasaray on Tuesday in their first Champions League home game of the season following the 4-3 defeat against Bayern Munich last month. “We know that [Galatasaray quality], it’s not only Zaha and Icardi, but there’s Mertens and Ziyech, so they have a lot more and it’s about the team,” Ten Hag said. “We have to defend that and have to be at our best to get the right result.”
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The Red Devils’ 1-0 defeat against Palace in the Premier League on Saturday saw United lose for the fourth time in seven matches for the first time in Premier League history. Ten Hag’s men have picked up just nine points from a possible 21 and he admitted his side must show “character”.
“You have to deal with,” he added. “Experienced players know how to deal with it and it’s not the first time we’re in this situation because that’s a career, it’s not only highlights, it’s a journey and that will have bumps.
“Now it’s about the character, what you have to show and how to get out. There are many positives but things we need to improve on.”
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