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Sunday 12 January 2025 20:15
Five was the magic number for Altay Bayindir as the goalkeeper played a huge part in driving Manchester United into the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The Turkey international faced five penalties in a remarkable match at Arsenal and saved two – one from Martin Odegaard that could have put the Gunners 2-1 up with 18 minutes of normal time remaining, and the other from Kai Havertz in the shootout that United ultimately won 5-3.
According to statistics on Transfermarkt.co.uk, this was the fifth match in which Bayindir saved a spot-kick during 90 minutes – and in all of those matches, he has avoided defeat.
The previous four were all at club level in Turkey – three with Fenerbahce (the final scores were 1-1, 2-0, 2-1) and one for MKE Ankaragucu (1-1).
Bayindir: It’s a special feeling for me Video
Bayindir: It’s a special feeling for me
Altay Bayindir reflects on a day to remember at Arsenal, where his penalty saves inspired a memorable FA Cup win…
Bayindir’s heroics for United at the Emirates Stadium were not limited to penalties, however. Arguably his best save came four minutes after he denied Odegaard from the spot, when he flung himself to the left again and tipped a Declan Rice effort over the crossbar.
It was only the goalkeeper’s fifth Reds appearance, as he has mainly served as an understudy to Andre Onana since signing for the club on deadline day at the end of the 2023 summer transfer window.
“If you are not playing it doesn’t matter,” Bayindir told the BBC, after what was undoubtedly his best performance so far.
“You have to be ready every minute, every second. If you are a Manchester United player you have to be ready always.
“I am working every day. I am patient. I just want to help this great team.
“I want to make everyone happy for this great club.”
Positive results away to the Premier League’s top two sides – 2-2 at Liverpool, where Onana played, and then today’s penalties triumph over Arsenal – suggests Ruben Amorim’s side are heading in the right direction this month after a difficult December.
Commenting on how the head coach works with his players, Bayindir said: “[Ruben Amorim] is talking with us every day and he wants to help us.
“We love him and he’s always trying to do his best. He has a very good relationship with the players and we are trusting him, he is trusting us.
“We are fighting together.”
Amorim: The spirit was there Video
Amorim: The spirit was there
Ruben Amorim says he could feel the connection between his players and our fans at the Emirates Stadium…
LEGENDS’ PRAISE FOR BAYINDIR
The Reds ‘keeper was named the official FA Cup Man of the Match by former England and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer, who was working as a pundit for live match broadcaster BBC.
“Altay Bayindir was absolutely outstanding,” said Shearer.
“It was a three-way tie between him and [Matthijs] De Ligt and [Harry] Maguire who I thought were also superb. But just because of his penalty save, I thought I would give [the award] to him.
“When you get given an opportunity, you have to take it and he took it today. He held his nerve [for Odegaard’s penalty], he didn’t blink first.
“Bayindir kept on going and played a huge part in United getting through by saving another penalty in the shootout.”
Meanwhile, one of United’s most respected goalkeepers of all time, Alex Stepney, posted his admiration for Bayindir on social media platform, X.
“Well done Altay,” said the 1968 European Cup winner.
“I would’ve been proud of that performance today. Up the Reds.”
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Sunday 12 January 2025 20:15
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