New Manchester United summer signing Altay Bayindir candidly opened up on his club idol after completing his dream move to Old Trafford in the summer.
Erik ten Hag has overhauled his options between the sticks at United, with club hero David de Gea leaving after failing to agree terms on a new contract.
The United manager was reunited with former Ajax star Andre Onana, who arrived from Inter Milan in a stunning £47.2m move, as De Gea’s first-choice replacement.
Dean Henderson was also on the United chopping block alongside De Gea and the 26-year-old shot-stopper was sold to Crystal Palace for a fee believed to be £20m.
READ MORE: Altay Bayindir and trialist pictured in Manchester United training
Bayindir shares love for ‘quality’ United legend
Bayindir is expected to play second fiddle to Onana this season after completing his £4.3m move from Turkish side Fenerbahce.
The 25-year-old, who inked a four-year contract with United, has also become the the first Turkish player to represent the Red Devils.
Speaking after his unveiling, Bayindir admitted that he is a big admirer of United legend Edwin van der Sar and called him a “quality” ‘keeper.
“Yeah, of course. And when I was starting first time, I watched a lot of games of Van der Sar,” he told Manchester United’s official website.
“[He’s a] quality man, a quality person and a quality goalkeeper for Manchester United.
“I like him. And then after that, I just look at myself. Of course, I watch a lot of games, but when I will be better, my focus is only for this.”
Bayindir could have his chance at United
Ten Hag will now have the option to call upon Tom Heaton or Bayindir in the absence of United No 1 Onana.
Onana could miss United fixtures later this season if Cameroon book their place in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The United shot-stopper has been recalled to the Cameroon team and appears to have mended his rift with manager Rigobert Song after a fallout at the 2022 World Cup.
Bayindir has already linked up with fellow United ‘keepers Onana and Heaton and insisted they “will fight” for the Red Devils this season.
“Yeah, of course. I spoke with Tom Heaton [on] my first day. He is a quality person,” he said.
“He said, ‘If you need something, you can tell me about everything.’ He is a very good person and I am thinking the same about every goalkeeper and we are a team.
“We are together now. We will fight together and with Onana, with Tom Heaton, and with young goalkeepers, we are family. We are on the pitch together. We will fight for Manchester United.”
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