Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, is set to receive a significant boost as goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is expected to return to action after spending nearly two months on the sidelines. The Turkish international, who has primarily served as a backup to first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana, has had limited opportunities to feature for the Red Devils this season. However, despite his secondary role in the squad, Bayindir has made six appearances across all competitions, with half of those coming in the Carabao Cup.
One of Bayindir’s most noteworthy performances came in the FA Cup third-round clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. In that crucial match, he delivered a standout performance that played a decisive role in securing victory for Manchester United. His display was so impressive that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta publicly acknowledged his brilliance, describing his performance as “outstanding.” His heroics in that match further demonstrated his ability to step up when called upon, proving to be a reliable option for Amorim when needed.
Unfortunately, the 26-year-old shot-stopper has been out of action since early February due to an unspecified injury or fitness issue. His absence has left Manchester United with a weakened goalkeeping department, posing a challenge for Amorim as he manages his squad in the latter stages of the season. The situation has been further complicated by the unavailability of third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who has also been sidelined due to injury. With two of his backup goalkeepers unavailable, Amorim has had limited options in case Onana required rest or was unavailable for selection.
Bayindir’s return is expected to ease some of these concerns and restore depth to Manchester United’s goalkeeping ranks. While he may continue to play a supporting role behind Onana, his presence offers a valuable alternative should the team need to rotate goalkeepers in the coming weeks. The Turkish goalkeeper will be eager to regain match fitness and make the most of any opportunities that come his way as the season nears its conclusion.
His return also comes at a crucial time, as Manchester United are still competing on multiple fronts and will require a fully fit squad to maintain their performances in the final stretch of the campaign. Given his past performances, particularly against Arsenal, Bayindir has already demonstrated his capabilities, and Amorim will be relieved to have him available once again. Now, it remains to be seen how the coach will reintegrate him into the squad and whether he will get more chances to showcase his talents before the season ends.
