Former Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has recalled Erik ten Hag’s ruthless putdown after he mustered the courage to request a new contract.
Bishop’s time at United
Bishop joined United in January 2020 from Southend. He put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
He mostly served as a training goalkeeper at United and did not make any senior appearances for the club during his time there.
To gain experience, Bishop went on loan spells, notably at Mansfield Town during the 2020/21 campaign.
He permanently departed Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, signing for Sunderland. While at Sunderland, Bishop was loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers and then Cambridge United.
The shot-stopper signed for AFC Wimbledon in July 2025. He is currently Wimbledon’s first-choice man between the sticks.
Speaking on The One Glove’s Beyond The Box podcast [via Amorim’s Reds on X], Bishop revealed that there was a moment at United where he built up the courage to ask for a new contract, but then-manager Erik ten Hag responded savagely to his request.
Bishop makes Ten Hag revelation
Bishop said that he “sat on the conversation in his mind for a long time” before finally approaching Ten Hag.
He explained about doubting himself initially, “Who are you to go and knock on his door?”
“You’re not playing, you’re a training goalie, shut your mouth, sign your contract and f*** off. That’s what I believed. And in my mind, when you believe something, you believe it, don’t you?”
“So I was like I’m not gonna go see him, and then, I built it up, I have to go and see him.”
He continued, “I knock on his massive door, his door is huge, he opens it and he says ‘not today‘, shuts the door.”
“I just stood outside the door, like this big beam of wood, so what the f*** do I do now?”
Nathan Bishop describing the experience of when he had to knock on Erik ten Hag’s door to discuss his contract situation is absolutely hilarious 😭😭😭😭😭
[🎥 – Beyond The Box @ Podcast and The One Glove] pic.twitter.com/LuSf3iWdF7
— (fan) 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗺’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇵🇹 (@AmorimBalll_) October 16, 2025
Ten Hag was sacked by United in October 2024 and replaced by incumbent head coach Ruben Amorim.
Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
