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

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

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.”