TEN HAG ON BAY WATCH
Keeper Bayindir could make United debut in tricky Newport tie
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag is facing a major goalkeeper dilemma ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Newport County.
United must face the League Two side without the services of first-choice keeper Andre Onana, who has started all 30 of their games this season.
Onana is away on international duty with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, although he was dropped for their crucial 3-2 group stage win over Gambia on Tuesday.
Without £47million signing Onana, Ten Hag must decide who
will replace him in goal, as United look to keep alive their last remaining chance of winning anything this season.
Ten Hag knows he cannot afford to suffer a humiliating loss in what would prove to be one of the biggest FA Cup upsets of all time.
United have already lost 14 of their 30 games in all competitions this season and another defeat could prove the end of the line for him.
The Dutchman must decide whether young summer signing Altay Bayindir or experienced keeper Tom Heaton should start in goal at Rodney Parade.
Heaton, 37, joined United in 2021 to provide cover, but has not played for the first team for almost a year.
The former Burnley and Aston Villa keeper’s last appearance came in a Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest in
February 2023. Bayindir, meanwhile, is still waiting to make his debut following his £4.2m move from Fenerbahce in September.
The 25-year-old Turkey international was signed as back-up to Onana, after Dean Henderson joined Crystal
Palace in a £20m deal. But the only action Bayindir has seen so far this season is four games for his former club in August and three appearances for Turkey.
Ten Hag admitted United had scouted the keeper “intensely” before handing him a four-year deal due to run until 2027.
Bayindir recently revealed how desperate he was to make his United debut, but also admitted that he would support whoever Ten Hag picked in goal.
“We have good teammates and everyone is positive every day,” said Bayindir.
“That’s the most important thing for us.
“All the goalkeepers, we are always positive. Of course, we are fighting to be on the pitch because everyone wants to play.
“But we have good energy. It doesn’t matter who is playing, because we will, of course, support them every time.
“Team spirit is very important. If we’re doing this, we can be successful in the game. I think if we’re always doing that, we can always go up.”