Manchester United may have hit jackpot with their backup goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, according to exclusive transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
While Andre Onana remains the first-choice shot-stopper, whispers of his potential African Cup of Nations departure in January could open doors for the Turkish understudy.
READ: Who is Man United Keeper Altay Bayindir? Turkiye’s Rising Star
Erik ten Hag, hungry to improve United’s fortunes after their early Champions League exit, secured Onana’s arrival, but Bayindir hasn’t seen a single minute on the pitch yet.
However, Romano reveals United’s “very confident” stance on the 25-year-old, praising him as a “very good” backup.
Romano said: “Man Utd are very confident in Bayindir. They’re very happy with him in training. They believe they signed a very good backup goalkeeper, so they finally have a very good and competitive one. Bayindir is doing great in training and has a great relationship with his teammates. Everyone at the club trusts him. So, they decided to go for him because they knew the potential issue with Onana going to AFCON. So, I’m sure they have 100% faith in and trust him.”
With Onana’s AFCON call-up looming, Bayindir might finally get his chance to prove his mettle. This potential promotion is a welcome twist for United, who desperately needed reinforcements after David de Gea’s departure at the end of his contract.
Romano further emphasizes United’s faith in Bayindir, revealing that the club sees him as more than just a placeholder. His talent and dedication have undoubtedly impressed the Red Devils, making him a valuable asset in the face of Onana’s potential absence.
Bayindir could be in goal for United for up to a month with Onana out and perhaps longer based on how he performs as the Cameroon international has not been in the best of form.