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Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir has opened up on a conversation he held with Erik ten Hag over his very limited playing time at the club.
Bayindir signed for United in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth around £4.3 million. He joined from Super Lig giants Fenerbahce, who the Red Devils are set to face later this week in the Europa League.
The shot-stopper has not had the best time at Old Trafford, so far struggling to usurp Andre Onana.
He was made to wait four months before being granted his United debut, which came in a fourth-round FA Cup tie against Newport County. On this occasion, Bayindir was deployed between the sticks because Onana was away with the Cameroon national team for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bayindir made his second appearance for United this season against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. He has yet to feature in the Premier League or Europa League.
Ahead of the club’s clash on Thursday vs. his former side, Bayindir spoke to TRT Sport (via Manchester Evening News) and revealed, “I had a conversation with manager Erik ten Hag about not playing for Manchester United. I always respect the manager’s decision, but I will do everything to play.”
“I am just focusing on the pitch. There has been untrue news about many of our players playing in Europe. I am a person who is trying to be successful in the team I am in and to get the reward of the effort I have put in, but of course, no one knows what time will show.”
“My current thought is to continue to work until the end to be the best in the team and field I am in.”
On who are his closest friends at Old Trafford, the Turkey international named Antony, Casemiro and Tom Heaton as some of the teammates he regularly interacts with.
He explained that he also talks to Andre Onana and gets along well with club skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Bayindir discussed his time in Turkey and addressed some of the criticism that was directed at him before he signed for United.
“I had an operation in my last year before leaving. I had many injuries. My first three years at Fenerbahçe were a period in which I was improving by working harder. My fourth year was the same, but I had an injury that season. I was getting injections every day, taking painkillers. Finally, I found a good doctor for my back and spine and I found one myself.”
“The doctor told me that I was in a very critical period and asked, ‘How did you play like that?’ He said. Then I had surgery. There were also resentments with the fans during the time I had surgery. Sometimes there was excitement and desire in the fans due to not being a champion for a long time. This also reflected negatively on the players. You are 1-0 behind in the 20th minute, the match can turn around but the fans’ will can make it difficult.”
The 26-year-old noted that while at Fenerbahce, he never made any high-profile mistake that set the team back.
In fact, Bayindir defended his record for the club, explaining that he contributed significantly in many matches. He opined that the criticism he was subjected to may have been down to the fans’ frustration for not winning the title.
Feature image Paul Ellis via Getty Images
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