Altay Bayindir’s superb gesture to Man Utd team-mates after becoming unlikely hero

Manchester United’s second-choice goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, became their unlikely hero in just his fifth game for the club, saving two penalties in their FA Cup third-round win at Arsenal

Altay Bayindir was the gift that kept on giving for Manchester United even after his match-winning performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Bayindir, 26, saved one penalty in normal time and another in the shootout to send 10-man United through to the fourth round. The Turkish goalkeeper also produced a string of world-class saves, frustrating Arsenal in their own back yard.

It was only Bayindir’s fifth start for the Red Devils, 16 months after joining from Fenerbahce in a deal worth £4.3million. His error-ridden performance in United’s 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Tottenham was followed by reports that manager Ruben Amorim is targeting a new backup goalkeeper in 2025, one who’d better suit his style of play.

But Amorim put his faith in the Turkey international against Arsenal, resting first-choice shot-stopper Andre Onana, and it paid off. It was then Bayindir who was doing the paying on Sunday night.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Premier League clash with Southampton, Onana revealed that Bayindir wanted to mark the occasion with a meal to say thank you for his team-mates’ support. “We all congratulated him because he did a fantastic job. We are all proud of him,” Onana told club media.

“He’s here for a year and a half, or even more, and he’s working hard every day. Now he gets his reward. He deserves it. He invited us, by the way, to the restaurant [after the game] because he had such a nice performance. Hopefully, he’s going to invite us more, much more, because that means he will continue playing like this!”

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Amorim now has a decision to make over who starts against rock-bottom Southampton, with Bayindir yet to play a single minute of Premier League football. All five of his appearances have come in domestic cup competitors, although next week’s Europa League match at home to Rangers could be an opportunity for him to play.

Bayindir’s lack of minutes has led to speculation that he could leave the Red Devils in the January transfer window, but his agent, Sefa Seyrek, says otherwise. “Altay had offers from many European clubs last summer,” Seyrek told Sports Digitale.

“There are currently clubs that are interested, but Altay wants to stay and play in Manchester. The club definitely does not want to lose Altay.”

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