Manchester United are reportedly braced to lose Altay Bayindir in “one of the next two transfer windows” as the club fears the goalkeeper is “simply too good to be a number two behind Andre Onana”.
Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports Germany) reveals that while Old Trafford officials are “very satisfied” with the Turkish international a departure may happen sooner rather than later, given there are currently “no prospects of regular playing time”.
🚨🔴 At Manchester United, there is an expectation that Altay #Bayindir could leave the club in one of the next two transfer windows, as he is simply too good to be a number two behind André #Onana and currently has no prospects for regular playing time. #MUFC
Internally, the… pic.twitter.com/yagbFEoFAx
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 2, 2024
Tweet: “At Manchester United, there is an expectation that Altay #Bayindir could leave the club in one of the next two transfer windows, as he is simply too good to be a number two behind André #Onana and currently has no prospects for regular playing time.
#MUFC Internally, the club is very satisfied with him. Contract until 2027. Red Devils are in the market for a new third-choice goalkeeper or potentially both a new number two and three.”
Bayindir has rarely featured for United since his £4.3 million move from Fenerbahce last summer, given the form and availability of the club’s first-choice option, Andre Onana.
No goalkeeper in the Premier League has produced more clean sheets than Onana this season with six. The Cameroonian has consistently been the difference maker for United with a number of brilliant game-changing saves keeping his side in games.
And given the goalkeeping position is not one which requires rest or rotation, this has meant few opportunities for Bayindir to come into the team in Onana’s stead.
Plettenberg contends there is an “expectation” at Old Trafford that this lack of minutes will lead to Bayindir’s departure as the Turkish international seeks more first-team opportunities away from United.
Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton signed a one-year extension in the summer but the Englishman turns 39 in April and is not a long-term option in the squad.
As such, the Sky Sports reporter reveals the club are “in the market” for an new goalkeeper with “potentially both a new number two and three” on the wish list, given Bayindir’s future is a doubt.
If Bayindir is to leave, United will expect to command a profit on the £4.3 million fee used to secure his services a year ago which can be used to fund his replacement.
Feature image Paul Ellis via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
