Altay Bayindir hints at Old Trafford stay amid uncertainty

Akonamblog1 week ago

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Manchester United rounded off their Premier League campaign with a controverial win over Unai Emery’s Villans. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Andre Onana’s omission from Manchester United’s final game of the 2024/2025 season has all but confirmed he’ll be offloaded in the coming months.

However, next-in-line Altay Bayindir is highly unlikely to be given the No.1 role on a full-time basis.

The Turkish international was acquired in the same window as his counterpart, arriving on a £4.3 million deal from Fenerbahce while United forked out £47.2m to sign Onana from Inter Milan, making it clear from the offset who’d be between the sticks for the side each week.

Altay Bayindir endured a torrid start to his Red Devils tenure

Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir train ahead of Man United’s clash with Lyon. — Bayindir has had to play second fiddle to Onana. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Yet, you’d imagine even Bayindir was taken aback at just how little he featured in his maiden term.

Erik ten Hag made clear his preference for Onana, whom he’d coached at Ajax, by deploying him in all four competitions, including the League Cup and the FA Cup, where you’d – in most cases – expect the backup goalkeeper to be given the nod.

Bayindir, however, played only one single game throughout 2023/2024 in a fourth-round FA Cup tie away to Newport County. Onana had just been knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, so was unavailable for the tie. The outing ensured Bayindir claimed a winners’ medal when the side lifted the trophy last May.

Bayindir’s future: The state of play

Ruben Amorim has granted Bayindir increased opportunities to showcase his abilities; the 27-year-old has made eight appearances under the new boss since his appointment last November but has continued to be heavily linked with an Old Trafford exit, primarily to boost his chances of starting for his nation at the 2026 World Cup.

Game time will be crucial for him to be Turkey’s go-to between the sticks, and minutes will be hard to come by next season, especially if another shot-stopper is brought in to succeed Onana.

Bayindir did slightly hint that he could remain at United beyond the summer, though. He addressed supporters with a social media message on Sunday following the Reds’ 2-0 win over Aston Villa, which marked his second clean sheet, and said at the end: “We’re disappointed (about the season) because we care.

“But better days are coming – and when they do, I’ll be ready. See you next season. Always grateful.”