Altay Bayindir set to become Man United No 1 - who is the unknown £4.3m keeper?

Altay Bayindir arrived at Manchester United on September 1. Ever since then, it's been a waiting game for the Turkish goalkeeper.

£4.3million arrival Bayindir always knew he would serve as understudy to £47m Andre Onana, who was Erik ten Hag's firm choice as the new No 1 to replace David de Gea.

But the 25-year-old might have been a little surprised to reach Christmas and still not play a single minute for his new club.

The early rounds of the Carabao Cup? Nope. The odd Premier League outing to take Onana out of the spotlight amid criticism of high-profile errors? Nope.

A dead rubber in the Champions League group stage after United had already qualified? You're having a laugh.

The 6ft 6in Bayindir will receive his big opportunity to impress, however, when Onana goes off to represent Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

The tournament in Ivory Coast runs from January 13 until February 11 and if Cameroon perform well, Onana could miss up to six United games.

Assuming Ten Hag favours Bayindir to 37-year-old Tom Heaton, that's a good chunk of playing time for the Turk to prove he can do a superior job to Onana.

Depending on when Onana flies out, Bayindir could come in for the FA Cup third round tie away to Wigan Athletic on January 8.

There could also be league outings against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa, plus a potential FA Cup fourth round game, for the Turk to feature in.

He would have to perform exceptionally well to displace Onana permanently given Ten Hag is constructing a whole new style based around his comfort playing the ball out.

The United boss resisted the temptation to turn to Bayindir when Onana was blamed for several blunders in their ill-fated Champions League campaign.

But it has been reported that Onana does fear losing his place as he continues to struggle to settle into his role at United.

Even during the stirring comeback win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Onana was being criticised for failing to command his box when he lost the flight of John McGinn's free-kick for the opener.

During his time in Turkey with first Ankaragucu and then Fenerbahce, Bayindir was regarded more as a shot-stopper than a keeper in Onana's mould.

Don't expect him to be a carbon copy when he comes in. United's defenders, now accustomed to Onana being miles off his line and pinging long passes, will have to adapt.

The majority of Bayindir's touches come in the sanctuary of his own penalty area and his passing range is much shorter.

His ability to repel shots and especially his one-on-one abilities were respected in Turkey, however, and he should have a greater authority than Onana when it comes to gathering high balls.

His greatest challenge will be shaking off the rust. Bayindir last played a club game on August 13, when Fenerbahce beat Gaziantep 2-1 in their league opener.

Since then, his only action has been three international outings for Turkey, the latest coming agains Wales on November 21 when he replaced the injured Ugurcan Cakir in the first-half.

Bayindir has made eight appearances for his country but isn't their No 1 with coach Senol Gunes general rotating between him, Cakir of Trabzonspor and Mert Gunok of Besiktas.

The United stopper urgently needs some game time if he is to press his claim to be Turkey's first-choice at Euro 2024 in the summer.

Whatever happens in the next few weeks, Bayindir is unlikely to displace Onana permanently given the amount of money United have invested in the former Inter Milan stopper.

But a string of solid performances while Onana is at the AFCON could mean Ten Hag rotates him in a little more during the second-half of the season.

Equally, United's early European exit has reduced the workload, with just their Premier League top four push and the FA Cup to focus on. Onana might not need a rest.

Bayindir may well come in and dazzle with his shot-stopping, creating a clamour for him to replace Onana permanently.

But let's not forget Ten Hag signed Onana to usher in a whole new approach that is still a work in progress. It's unlikely to be abandoned so soon.