Manchester United fans have dropped their two cents on Altay Bayindir after the Turkey international made his club debut in the FA Cup tie against Newport County.
The Red Devils travelled to the Rodney Parade on Sunday for their fourth-round FA Cup match after they beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 in the third round earlier this month.
Erik ten Hag was without Manchester United No 1 Andre Onana, who has been representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations this month.
Altay Bayindir arrived in the same transfer window as Onana and the United player has been playing second fiddle to the Cameroon international.
The 25-year-old, who is the first Turkish player to represent United, was brought to Old Trafford on deadline day as part of a £4.3m deal from Fenerbahce.
Despite Onana’s howlers this season, Ten Hag has kept faith in the former Ajax and Inter Milan star and Bayindir was left waiting for his debut for the Red Devils.
Bayindir’s United display vs Newport County
Erik ten Hag confirmed that Altay Bayindir would start against Newport County, with the former Fenerbahce man putting in a steady performance for Manchester United.
Lisandro Martinez had some strong words for Bayindir early in the first half after Newport County’s players applied some pressure on the United shot-stopper.
Bayindir was a lively presence on the pitch and was spotted standing out of his area, with the Turkey star making himself available for United’s build-up play.
The United player’s hopes of securing a clean sheet on his Red Devils debut were dashed after a sensational first-half strike from Bryn Morris for Newport County.
Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in the first 15 minutes put United into a 2-0 lead, but Morris struck back with an emphatic finish in the 36th minute.
United failed to clear a long ball from Newport County’s Nick Townsend and Morris was able to take a touch before unleashing a strike from 30 yards out, which took a big deflection from Martinez.
Ten Hag said ahead of the Newport County match that it was Bayindir’s “moment” and the player was “very motivated” for the FA Cup tie at the Rodney Parade.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday (via Manchester United’s official website), he explained: “He knows how to deal with it and we were all very convinced when we brought him into this club.
“That is not a decision for just one man.
“We are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is very motivated, of course, and he can’t wait for this moment.
“Now, this is his moment.”
United fans react to Bayindir’s performance
United fans on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, shared their feelings on Bayindir’s performance against Newport County on his club debut.
Supporters praised how “comfortable” he looked up the pitch and his “handling” of the ball, though others claimed that Bayindir looked “very shaky” from the back.
However, United fans welcomed Bayindir’s display and believe that the former Fenerbahce player should start ahead of the under-pressure Onana.
“Bayindir handling balls and I’m shaking my head for what we’ve been through at the hands of Onana since the season started,” one fan said.
Another added: “Altay Bayindir has to be the starting goalkeeper. He’s better than Onana.”
Somebody else commented: “Altay Bayindir is looking comfortable when he is higher up the pitch something Onana should replicate.”
A fourth posted: “Low key Bayindir has more swag and confidence than Onana.”
“I’ve seen enough from Bayindir, Onana can hold the bench when he comes back,” another tweeted.
While a sixth wrote: “Honestly, Bayindir should be our new [No] 1.”
And a seventh stated: “Bayindir looks very shaky playing out from the back and under pressure.”
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