Goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has opened up about a tense—and surprisingly funny—moment during his early days at Manchester United, when he had to discuss a contract renewal with manager Erik ten Hag.
The story gives a rare glimpse into the pressures faced by young players at elite clubs.
Bishop, who joined United from Southend United at the age of 20 in 2020, never made a first-team appearance before leaving for Sunderland in 2023.
He now enjoys regular football with AFC Wimbledon in League One.
Building Up the Nerve to Knock on Ten Hag’s Door
Speaking on The One Glove’s Beyond The Box podcast, Bishop described the mental struggle of approaching Ten Hag about a new deal.
“I built this scenario up in my head for ages,” he said.
“I needed to go up to Erik and speak about a new contract or the one that had been offered.
I wanted to play, leave, experience new things, maybe not even sign a contract.”
He admitted he overthought the moment endlessly, wrestling with self-doubt. “I didn’t think I deserved to knock on his door.
I thought, ‘Who are you to go and knock on his door? You’re not playing, you’re just a training goalie. Shut your mouth, sign the contract, and f*** off.’”
The Door Slam Moment
Eventually, Bishop built enough courage to approach Ten Hag. What happened next, he recalls, was unforgettable.
“I knock on his massive door—it’s huge. He opens it, says ‘not today,’ and shuts it. I just stood there, like, ‘What the f*** do I do now?’” Bishop laughed while recalling the incident.
The goalkeeper admitted the moment felt both intimidating and surreal, leaving him frozen outside Ten Hag’s office.
Career Journey Since Manchester United
The timeline around this episode is a little unclear, but Bishop did sign a one-year extension with United after the club triggered an option for an additional year.
Yet within two months, Sunderland came in for him, and he only ever made two first-team appearances for the Black Cats.
Like at United, where he spent time on loan at Mansfield Town and with the under-21s, Bishop’s time at Sunderland involved loan moves to Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United before he eventually settled at AFC Wimbledon.
Finding Stability with Wimbledon
Now 26, Bishop is thriving with the Dons, who sit fifth in League One.
He has featured in 12 of their 14 league games and already kept three clean sheets, showing that the goalkeeper is finally enjoying consistent game time.
Bishop’s story is a reminder of the hurdles young players face at top clubs, and the sometimes awkward—but formative—lessons that come with chasing a professional career.