MANCHESTER UNITED goalkeeper Andre Onana is set to play for Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
That means No2 Altay Bayindir is in line to make his Red Devils debut in the FA Cup third round tie against League One Wigan on Monday, January 8.
Onana was named in the Cameroon squad on Thursday for the AFCON tournament which runs for just over a month from January 13.
As a result, Onana could miss six United matches and, with his indifferent form leading to questions over his long-term future, Turkish stopper Bayindir will have the chance to stake a claim for the Old Trafford No1 shirt.
Bayindir has played once in the UK this season, though, in a 1-1 Euro 2024 qualifying draw with Wales back in November.
Bayindir, who also turned out for his country in a friendly win over Euro 2024 hosts Germany last month, came on for Turkish captain Ugurcan Cakir in the 33rd minute of the Cardiff qualifier after the latter appeared to sustain a foot injury.
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The 25-year-old keeper, signed by Erik Ten Hag in a £4.3million deal from Fenerbahce back on deadline day after the departures of David de Gea and Dean Henderson, is yet to make a first-team appearance at Old Trafford.
SunSport ran the rule over Bayindir in his outing against Wales so here’s how he stacked up?
Shot stopping
Bayindir was called into action two minutes before the interval when he saved low to his right to deny Brennan Johnson’s snapshot.
He showed smart reflexes early in the second half to keep out another low effort from Johnson.
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Good handling to save an Ethan Ampadu header. An impressive work-out.
Distribution
Calm and composed. He started off Turkey’s attacks with the minimum of fuss.
Like Onana, you can see why United boss Ten Hag signed him because of his possession-based style.
Presence in the box
Bayindir’s first touch after arriving off the bench was to clear a Harry Wilson corner.
He then spent the following minutes stretching to get warm with the ball at the other end of the pitch, drawing cheers from the crowd as he showed his flexibility by doing the splits.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
