Erik ten Hag hints at major Manchester United XI change vs Galatasaray (Champions League)

Erik ten Hag has hinted at a significant change to his Manchester United XI as Galatasaray are welcomed to Old Trafford in the Champions League.

Manchester United are looking to put their first Champions League points on the board of Group A as they welcome Turkish side Galatasaray to Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.

Erik ten Hag‘s Reds recorded an opening game loss in the competition two weeks ago, falling to a 4-3 defeat against Bayern Munich away from home.

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Despite the loss, the scoreline somewhat flatters the Red Devils, who were poor on the night after Andrè Onana’s first-half mistake handed a lead to the Munich side.

Speaking on the subject of goalkeepers in his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag was asked if the fans will be able to see new signing Altay Bayındır, who was signed on deadline day as a second choice to Onana, in the starting XI against Galatasaray.

“You will see,” said Ten Hag of the Turkey international when asked if he will start. “But we chose against Crystal Palace in the League Cup to play Andrè because both came new in and both have to adapt to the English standard, so that’s why we preferred Andrè 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.”

Ten Hag’s words show a clear hint that Bayındır will be handed his first Manchester United minutes on Tuesday evening after the Dutch manager recognised that it is important for the new signing to gain minutes where possible.

Due to the nature of goalkeepers, it is often true that clubs will have an established first choice and second choice, but this does not make the role of Bayındır any less important or significant – he must be ready to play when called upon, and he can only be ready if he is given minutes where possible.