Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag maintains complete faith in second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir despite the Andre Onana saga which has seen the Premier League giants wait until the last possible moment to send him to AFCAN.

With Onana set for a temporary AFCON departure, Bayindir’s moment in the spotlight could finally arrive.

READ: Who is Man United Keeper Altay Bayindir? Turkiye’s Rising Star

Bayindir, brought in for £4.3 million from Fenerbahce, has yet to see a single minute of competitive action for the Red Devils. However, with Onana cup-tied and heading to the African Cup of Nations, the opportunity for the Turkish international is knocking.

The club’s decision to delay Onana’s debut has ruffled some feathers. United believed the shot-stopper had abandoned international commitments during his move, only to see him reverse his decision shortly after the season began.

This unexpected development forced Ten Hag to adapt.

Despite the Onana situation, Ten Hag remains confident in Bayindir’s abilities. Whether it’s the 25-year-old or veteran Tom Heaton, United are prepared to rely on their backup options during Onana’s absence.

The question remains: can Bayindir rise to the occasion? His lack of playing time raises concerns, but his strong performances for Fenerbahce and the Turkish national team offer a ray of hope.

“At some point Andre will go,” said Ten Hag. “We are totally happy and we constructed this group of keepers because we are comfortable with this.

“We have confidence in them both. They are very good goalkeepers, both experienced at the highest levels. I think we can have a lot of belief that we have coverage.”

The coming weeks will determine if he can prove his worth in the demanding pressure cooker of Old Trafford.