Erik ten Hag must take risky option vs Galatasaray or face nightmare scenario that could ruin Man Utd's season

Erik ten Hag must start Altay Bayindir in Manchester United’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray.

The Turkey international joined United from Fenerbahce in the summer in a deal believed to be worth around £4.3 million.

Upon the release of David de Gea and Dean Henderson’s departure to Crystal Palace, Bayinidir was brought in to provide competition for No.1 signing Andre Onana.

While Onana was expected to start Premier League games for United, there was surprise when the Cameroonian was preferred between the sticks for United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup loss last week.

But as the season ticks into gear United must give Bayindir the required game-time, so that the 25-year-old can adapt to the English game.

Indeed, Onana is set to be part of the Cameroon squad for January’s Africa Cup of Nations, with his understudy, Bayindir to step in as United’s Premier League No.1 in that time.

At that point the goalkeeper will need to have sufficient confidence and match sharpness, and there is no better time than against Galatasaray, with Bayindir having signed from the Turkish club’s fierce rivals, Fenerbahce.

Ten Hag has explained why Bayindir is yet to make his debut, however, and moved to allay fears surrounding a lack of game time for the second-choice keeper.

When asked if Bayindir will make his debut in the coming weeks, Ten Hag said: “You will see.

“We chose against Crystal Palace in the League Cup to play Andre [Onana] because they are both new and both have to adapt to the English standard.

“That’s why we preferred Andre to play in that game, it was important for him to use every game at this moment.

“Also, we have to progress Altay, that’s clear. He makes a very good impression in training, he’s really developing and progressing and we are very happy with him.

“We are convinced we have the two right goalkeepers in our squad to do the job for us.”

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Topics: Football, Galatasaray, Manchester United, Premier League, Andre Onana, Erik Ten Hag

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.