Manchester United’s preparations for their crucial FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool have suffered a blow with the news that second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is out injured according to Aksam.
The 25-year-old Turkish international has picked up a muscle strain that will rule him out for around two weeks, forcing him to miss Sunday’s high-profile matchup at Old Trafford.
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Bayindir, who made his debut in the FA Cup fourth-round win over Newport County, had established himself as a reliable backup for first-choice keeper Andre Onana.
This injury comes at a particularly challenging time for United, who are already facing a congested fixture list.
His absence extends to the Turkish national team, as Bayindir will have to withdraw from their upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Austria.
With Bayindir sidelined, Tom Heaton, United’s third-choice keeper, is expected to return to the squad. Heaton has been recovering from an injury but is anticipated to be fit enough for a place on the bench on Sunday.
This latest setback adds to Manchester United’s woes. As highlighted by journalist Samuel Luckhurst, the club has already dealt with a staggering 50 injuries or illnesses this season.
This has significantly impacted squad depth and forced manager Erik ten Hag to make difficult selection decisions, potentially affecting their performance across various competitions.
