Erik ten Hag responds to suggestion that Altay Bayındır can’t cope with FA Cup pressure

Erik ten Hag has stated his confidence in second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayındır ahead of his Manchester United debut against Newport County.

Due to André Onana‘s occupation at AFCON with Cameroon, Altay Bayındır will be being handed his debut for Manchester United as they face Newport County in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Bayındır has not made an appearance for the club since he signed from Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2023 for a fee of around £5 million due to Erik ten Hag‘s reliance on Onana since the start of the campaign.

Read More: Erik ten Hag agrees with Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool

However, Ten Hag confirmed in his press conference on Friday afternoon that Bayındır will start against Newport on Sunday afternoon.

He will be in the goal,” said the Dutch manager when asked about if Bayındır will play his first minutes this weekend.

Speaking further, he also backed the Turkish international after he was asked if he felt Bayındır could cope with the pressure of playing for United in the FA Cup, considering that changing Turkey for Manchester United is a big step.

“What we can expect from him is he waits for his chance, but he is experienced, played in a big club in Turk under big pressure, he knows how to deal with it, we were convinced… so we are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is waiting for this moment, and this is his moment.”

He continued: “You have been in Fenerbahçe? Pressure. Also, Turkey, that is big pressure always, also for the national team so he knows how to deal with it.”