Departures are expected at Manchester United this summer, and the club appears to have already agreed on a sale. Several players’ futures are uncertain, especially those lacking game time.
That’s been the case for Altay Bayindir ever since Senne Lammens arrived at Old Trafford last September. The Turkish goalkeeper started the season as Ruben Amorim’s number one but failed to hold onto his place in the Reds’ team.
Bayindir returned to a backup role after Lammens proved he’s United’s undisputed starting goalkeeper. He now looks set to depart the club permanently when the window opens in June.
Bayindir back to Turkiye
A return to Turkiye is on the horizon for Bayindir, according to a report from Turkish outlet Fanatik. It’s claimed that United have agreed to sell to the Super Lig club for €5m (£4.3m) this summer.
Bayindir has also agreed on personal terms with the Turkish giants and will earn around €2m per year. If he does leave, he will have spent three years at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old joined United from Fenerbahce in the summer of 2023 for £4.3m. He was signed as backup to Andre Onana, whose own future is in doubt despite his intentions to return in the summer.
Bayindir has made just 17 appearances, keeping three clean sheets. His best moment came in the FA Cup third round win over Arsenal last season when he was the hero in a penalty shootout victory.
Man United’s ideal goalkeeping situation
With Bayindir likely headed for the exit door and Onana probably not far behind him, it will be interesting to see who serves as Lammens’ backup. The obvious and most likely choice is Radek Vitek, who is currently on loan at Bristol City.
Vitek has impressed with the Robins, playing a key role in their push for a play-off place in the Championship. The Czech goalkeeper has made 29 appearances, keeping nine clean sheets.
The 22-year-old insisted after making the move to the City Ground that he aspires to one day become United’s number one. If he were to return next season, he could be worthy competition for Lammens, who has been undroppable since joining from Royal Antwerp.
Onana’s next
INEOS appear eager to start clearing out the mess that built up during Erik ten Hag’s reign. The Dutchman was given too much control in the transfer market and made several disappointing decisions.
Signing Onana as David de Gea’s replacement was certainly one of them, and he failed to live up to expectations. The Cameroonian goalkeeper arrived from Inter Milan in a £47.2m deal three summers ago.
The 27-year-old struggled between the sticks, and a poor performance in a humiliating loss to Grimsby Town in the League Cup was the club’s last straw. He was loaned to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, where he has been a mainstay.
Onana is said to be keen on reclaiming the number one shirt at Old Trafford, which is a pipedream. The Reds will most likely inform the Cameroonian that he isn’t part of their plans moving forward.
