What can fans expect from Bayindir ahead of long-awaited Man Utd debut

 

Altay Bayindir was hardly an unknown quality when he joined Manchester United from Fenerbahce last summer. First choice for the Turkish powerhouse and the national team, he was a high-profile backup for fellow goalkeeping addition Andre Onana. The 25-year-old had also been linked with moves to Tottenham, Newcastle and Liverpool before securing a deadline day switch to Old Trafford. 

 

And yet despite joining back in August, Bayindir is yet to make his debut for United. The Turkiye international has featured more recently for Fenerbahce than he has Erik ten Hag's side. However, Bayindir is expected to make his long-awaited debut when United face Newport on Sunday afternoon. 

 

Cameroon's unexpected progression to the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations means Onana will remain with the Indomitable Lions for the time being. United even had the former Inter and Ajax man feature in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham the day before Cameroon's AFCON campaign got underway earlier this month, the 27-year-old flying out directly after the stalemate. 

 

Even so, Onana's flight was delayed and he was then dropped for Cameroon's final group game against Gambia after a disappointing performance against Senegal. With the furore surrounding his involvement in the tournament, Onana has made just one appearance for Cameroon this month, and has returned a 0% save success rate in the process. Nevertheless, the pressure will be on Bayindir when United face Newport this weekend. 

 

 

A trip to the League Two outfit is hardly the most daunting proposition for United but you can be sure Newport will do all they can to hand Bayindir a testing debut. A lack of gametime may result in a rusty performance from the towering shotstopper but, to his credit, he's been in a similar position before. Back in 2018, Bayindir was struggling to force his way into the Ankaragucu first team.  

 

Injury to their first choice goalkeeper and a poor showing from their backup presented Bayindir with the chance to consolidate his starting spot for Ankaragucu. The then-20-year-old shotstopper made his league debut in November 2018, and he didn't look back as he started 17 matches for the the capital side. Even with limited top-flight experience, Fenerbahce took a gamble on Bayindir in 2019 and despite his age an inexperience, was immediately instilled as first choice for the Yellow Canaries. 

 

Over the years, Bayindir's showings didn't go unnoticed as reports of a high profile Premier League switch did the rounds. Ultimately it was United to took a gamble on Bayindir, albeit paying just £4.7m to secure his services. Having shipped an average of just 1.19 goals per game last season, that the fifth lowest average in the Super Lig, Turkiye's first choice proved he warrants regular game time and that he hasn't made his debut for United is a surprise. 

 

While a couple of his shortcomings have perhaps played a part in Ten Hag's decision not to use Bayindir in any form up to this point of the campaign - his distribution needs refinement and despite standing at 6'5", the summer signing can struggle with balls into the box - this weekend won't be the first time the goalkeeper has been thrust into the limelight. 

 

The pressure for Bayindir is on, however. Cameroon are in AFCON action again on Saturday night as they take on Nigeria with a quarter-final spot up for grabs. Progress to the next round and Bayindir may be required to hold down the United starting spot for the foreseeable future. With a double Premier League gameweek on the horizon, too, this weekend really is sink or swim for the former Fenerbahce man.

 

He's already succeeded in ousting one first choice goalkeeper for his club in his short career. A strong showing in Wales over the weekend may be the start of Bayindir doing so to another.

What can fans expect from Bayindir ahead of long-awaited Man Utd debut