Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag tipped to brutally snub Onana back-up and play forgotten man

One Manchester United star could face further misery with another snub from Erik ten Hag.

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Altay Bayindir was thought to be in line to play against Newport. (Image: Getty)

Manchester United signed Altay Bayindir in the summer from Fenerbahce but he is yet to make his debut for the club and the goalkeeper could be left waiting further. He had expected to get his chance to impress Erik ten Hag in the upcoming FA Cup tie at Newport, with Andre Onana on international duty, but another stopper has been tipped to get the nod instead.

Former United defender Wes Brown believes that Tom Heaton, who is the third-choice option behind Onana and Bayindir, could play against the League Two side. The 37-year-old has featured in just two Carabao Cup ties since his return to the club in 2021, but may be preferred to his Turkish rival.

Onana, who joined up with the Cameroon squad late and was not selected for their opening Africa Cup of Nations match, could return to Manchester sooner than expected. Cameroon sit third in Group C and need to win against Gambia in their final group match on Tuesday to avoid exiting the competition.

United do not play until Sunday when they travel to Newport and Onana could be available. But even if Cameroon progress to the knock-out stages, Brown thinks that Bayindir will watch from the bench once again with Heaton starting.

Tom Heaton may make his first appearance of the season. (Image: Getty)

“I just feel that Tom’s played before, obviously he’s very experienced,” Brown told MUTV. “I’ve been watching warm-ups ahead of games and I always notice Tom goes in nets first and gets everything done.

“Everyone thinks he won’t play. He’s played matches before, When needed he’s put him in, he’s done fine, there have been not problems, I just feel Tom’s going to play.”

Wes Brown believes that Tom Heaton will start over Altay Bayindir. (Image: MUTV.)

Bayindir may feel harshly done by if he is to miss out once again, having been in line to play against Tottenham but Onana joined up with Cameroon late in order to be between the posts in the 2-2 draw with Ange Postecoglou’s side.

He has not been given the nod in the Carabao Cup either and has spoken out regarding his lack of opportunities this season. “We have good team-mates and everyone is positive every day,” Bayindir said of the bond between himself, Onana and Heaton. “That’s the most important thing for us.

“All the goalkeepers, their character is very nice. We are always positive. Of course, we are fighting [to be] on the pitch, because everyone wants to play with the team in the stadium.

“But we have a good energy. It doesn’t matter who is playing, because we will, of course, support them every time. Team spirit is very important, you know? If we are doing this, we can be successful in the game, it’s very important. I think if we’re always doing that, we can always go up.”