Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Altay Bayindir will make his Manchester United debut in goal against Newport County on Sunday, and backed the Turkish keeper to handle the pressure of the occasion.
Bayindir will make his first appearance since a £4.3million summer move from Fenerbahce, replacing Andre Onana who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.
The 25-year-old has waited patiently for his chance while Onana has played every game this season, but Ten Hag said that he will be in the line-up against League Two Newport at Rodney Parade.
‘He will be in the goal,’ said the United manager. ‘What we can expect for him, he waits for his chance but he is experienced. He played in a big club in Turkey under big pressure.
'He knows how to deal with it, and we were convinced. So we are looking forward to Sunday. Altay has waited for his chance and this is his moment.’
Asked why he is confident the 6ft 6in keeper can handle the pressure, Ten Hag replied: ‘You have been to Fenerbahce? Pressure. Also, the Turkey, that is big pressure always, also for the national team so he knows how to deal with it.’
Ten Hag insisted that his players will not underestimate a Newport County side that are looking forward to the biggest game in the club’s history in front of 9,000 fans.
‘Also in the Netherlands we have the cup, and we play the games against lower class teams,’ he added. ‘Always when you go, as a big club against a lower class team, how you approach that, definitely we're not in a position to under-estimate them.’
United were beaten in the FA Cup final by Manchester City in June, and Ten Hag admitted that it represents their only chance of a trophy this season after dropping to eighth place in the Premier League.
‘It's the truth,’ he said. ‘The FA Cup is, as you say, probably a last opportunity for the trophy and we go for it.’
Vatckrtuyz
2
good luck my boy 🤙🤙👍
Adeyemi83
0
Cameron should be careful onana should not be in post for them or else
faneilopsy
0
onana can still fly in if Cameroon loss tomorrow night 😁😁
AVaruam
0
from my point of view rashford should be in the bench...
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
0
Which pressure are you talking about, pressure for playing against New Port?
HoseaMartial
5
we want to see what he has good luck Bayindir
ChrisSteve88
0
please those who are confident of this goal keeper, are u guys sure? if this one turns out to be pro max 2
Fazikmopty
1
let him be the first choice, onana is not good enough
lucbciksu
1
ETH is a favouritism coach..just because onana is out that's why Altay will play ...but the truth ETH has no game plans for his players ...don't think a lot am a man u fan
gsikaputa
3
Andre onana going to airport after learning that Altay bayindir he will be in the goal on Sunday 😂😂
funmiikares
0
Thank God ooo
Ticbekmtuz
0
Man u we will win
Bouaeiosuy
1
Onana's United error will end this Sunday
SOFTEST
0
thanks