Ten Hag ‘ignored’ outcast United star for two weeks after he signed – despite choosing to pursue him

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Per Football Insider, Erik ten Hag ‘ignored’ Altay Bayindir for two whole weeks after his move to Manchester United in 2023.

The Turkish international was acquired ahead of the 2023/2024 campaign after United had sanctioned the exits of several goalkeepers; David de Gea parted ways with the club after 12 years as a free agent, while Dean Henderson, Nathan Bishop, Matej Kovar and Ondrej Mastny all embarked on new ventures away from M16.

Prior to Bayindir’s arrival, Andre Onana had completed a £47.2 million move from Inter Milan to become Erik ten Hag’s No.1, unsurprisingly adding to the ex-Ajax cohort, which, at the time, consisted of Antony and Lisandro Martinez. Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt have since expanded the group.

Ten Hag’s questionable treatment of Bayindir

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Upon signing from Fenerbache, Bayindir would’ve known that he would be playing second-fiddle to Onana. However, fans were still surprised to see just how little he was utilised, as he made only one single appearance across the entire campaign in a fourth-round FA Cup tie away to Newport County. Ten Hag, unlike most other managers, opted to stay with his first-choice between the sticks for the remaining FA Cup fixtures as well as every Carabao Cup match.

That’s why FI’s report perhaps isn’t all that hard to believe. They claim: “Following his (Bayindir’s) £4.3 million arrival from Fenerbache in 2023, he was not greeted by, nor introduced to the manager, for over a fortnight.

“For the initial weeks of training, the 26-year-old spent time only with the club’s goalkeeping coaches, without ever having a conversation with the manager.”

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