All you need to know about Altay Bayindir, Man Utd’s new goalkeeper | OneFootball

Altay Bayindir is set to join Manchester United, according to reports.

Former Manchester United midfielder Fred spilled the beans that the Turkish goalkeeper is set to join Erik ten Hag’s squad, while transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has stated that everything is “on track” for a deal to be struck with Fenerbahce. Bayindir is said to be in the UK and ready to sign.

We’ve put together a quick guide on everything you need to know about Manchester United’s latest signing.

The story so far

Bayindir was born in 1998 in the Bursa Province of northwest Turkey. He spent some time as a youth in Bursaspor’s academy but later moved to Ankaragucu, where he progressed to the first team.

He rose through the ranks of Turkey’s youth sides, representing their Under-17s, Under-19s, Under-20s and Under-21s and was on the periphery of Ankaragucu’s squad when they achieved promotion to the Turkish Super Lig in 2016-17.

The 6’6″ ‘shot-stopper made his top-flight debut at the age of 20 back in November 2018 and soon began attracting attention from scouts. He sealed a big move to Fenerbahce at the end of that breakthrough campaign and immediately became their No.1 between the sticks.

He’s notched up over 100 Super Lig games for Fenerbahce and made his senior international debut back in 2021.

While Fenerbahce haven’t won a Super Lig title since 2013-14, Bayindir helped them finish runners-up to Galatasaray last term. They finished second with a respectable 80-point tally and won the Turkish Cup, though he missed out on a place in the XI that beat Istanbul Basaksehir in the final.

Bayinder, 25, has made 145 appearances for Fenerbahce, conceding 162 goals and keeping 44 clean sheets, and signed a new four-year contract extension earlier this year. The club have protected the value of one of their star assets but are reportedly willing to let him leave for €7million.

This summer Manchester United signed Andre Onana to replace David de Gea, but are said to be looking for a new back-up with Dean Henderson expected to leave for Crystal Palace imminently.

The role of back-up may have extra importance this season, with first-choice Onana likely to go away with Cameroon in the mid-season Africa Cup Of Nations.

Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki turned down the Red Devils and Bayinder has evidently emerged as an alternative target.

Style of play

Tottenham, Newcastle and Ajax have all been linked with Bayinder in recent seasons, but it appears as though Manchester United have beaten them to the punch.

According to FBref, who have compiled his statistical output for Fenerbahce over the last 365 days, Bayinder ranks highly for leaving his penalty area and taking action, while he’s also in the top 20th percentile for crosses stopped at 7.2% – two areas that predecessor De Gea was often criticised for not being decisive enough.

However, it’s worth noting that this data is from the relatively small sample size of 720 minutes in the Europa League – so ought not to be read as gospel.

In terms of his statistical profile, his output has seen Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, Newcastle’s Nick Pope and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez as the Premier League goalkeepers listed as most comparable in terms of style.

What’s been said

“I wished Altay good luck when he left,” Fred told reporters in his Fenerbahce unveiling press conference.

“He’s going to a great team. I gave him some suggestions about places where he could live and I told him it rains a lot! I think Altay is going to be very happy at Manchester United.”

“Altay needs the love of the fans,” former Fenerbahce boss Jorge Jesus said after Bayinder was whistled by his own fans for conceding three goals in a Europa League clash with Rennes last season.

“There may be times when every player does not play well, the fans need to understand this.

“They should not put the player in a more difficult situation. Football players are Fenerbahce and its emblem. This is what we want from the fans.”

“Ten Hag personally likes Altay very much because he’s a young and developing goalkeeper,” Dutch journalist Rian Rosendaal told Fanatik.

“He’s only 25 and has a tall physique as a goalkeeper. Being 1.98m is a great advantage,”

“The most important feature Ten Hag likes is that Altay uses his feet. Altay can use his feet more effectively… This seems to have greatly influenced the Dutch coach. Ten Hag is obsessed with him. He is also aware that he can get efficiency from Altay for a long time…”