With first-choice keeper Andre Onana away on international duty at AFCON 2023, we could see a long-awaited debut for his understudy – but who is Altay Bayindir?
The Turkish keeper joined Manchester United in the summer on a four-year deal, but has yet to make an appearance.
Arriving from Fenerbache for a reported fee of £4.3 million, Bayindir is expected to finally make his debut this week.
United travel to League Two side Newport County on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round.
Eric Ten Hag’s men beat neighbours Wigan Athletic in the previous round, winning 2-0 away from home.
But with their number one keeper unavailable, we at Sportslens have taken a look at the man set to take up residence between the sticks over the coming weeks.
Who Is Altay Bayindir?
Born on 14 April 1998, Altay Bayindir is a Turkish international. He made his Süper Lig debut for boyhood club Ankaragücü in a 1–1 draw with Çaykur Rizespor in 2018.
In 2019, he joined Fenerbache on a four-year deal. He became the club’s number-one keeper, displacing Harun Tekin, and made his debut in a 5-0 win against Gaziantep.
Notable performances included his penalty saves against Fatih Karagümrük and Denizlispor, helping his side to wins in both fixtures.
In the latter game, he produced seven saves with Fenerbache down to ten men in a heroic display.
🚨🇹🇷 JUST IN:
Altay Bayindir is set to make his debut in goal for Manchester United in Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County – even if André Onana’s Cameroon go out of the AFCON today! #MUFC [@ChrisWheelerDM] pic.twitter.com/rid5BxvmCp
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) January 23, 2024
After representing Turkey at youth level since under-17, he made his senior international debut on May 27, 2021. Turkey won the friendly against Azerbaijan 2-1, and Bayindir has since earned eight caps for his country.
In his career, Altay Bayindir has made 145 senior club appearances. In those games, he has conceded 166 goals, managing 43 clean sheets.
He won the Turkish Cup with Fenerbache in 2023 before signing for United last summer.
When he makes his eventual debut, he will become the first Turkish player ever to feature for Manchester United.
Bayindir is reportedly set to start at the weekend even if Onana’s Cameroon are knocked out of AFCON 2023 beforehand.
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