From Bench to Spotlight: Altay Bayindir Nears Long-Awaited Debut for Man Utd as Onana’s Cameroon Dramatically Advance in AFCON

The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils from Fenerbahce on deadline day last summer to provide competition for Andre Onana.

Bayindir is yet to make his United debut despite joining in SeptemberCredit: Getty

But he’s yet to play a minute of action, with the Turkey international an unused substitute in 18 Premier League games, two Carabao Cup matches and one FA Cup tie.

It was thought Bayindir would feature against Wigan in the FA Cup third round before facing Tottenham at Old Trafford in the top flight.

But Onana was allowed to link up with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations at a later date, resulting in him playing against both the Latics and Spurs.

In what has been a dramatic AFCON, Cameroon looked to be heading out at the group stage having lost only attained one point going into their final game.

It left Cameroon requiring to beat Gambia in their final Group C match with Senegal needing to win against Guinea.

The AFCON holders did their job, and Cameroon just about managed to claim the three points – despite trailing 2-1 in the 85th minute.

An own goal moments later levelled the game up, with Christopher Wooh heading home in the first minute of stoppage time to complete the turnaround.

Gambia then thought they had sealed second spot in Group C with an equaliser of their own, only for VAR to overturn Muhammed Sanneh’s Diego Maradona-esque handball.

Onana’s absence at AFCON could finally see Bayindir make his United bowCredit: Getty

Incredibly, Onana was dropped for the pivotal game, with his cousin Fabrice Ondoa chosen to start ahead.

The last time the player was dropped in an international tournament, he was sent home due to ‘disciplinary reasons’ at the World Cup.

With United in action this weekend away at Newport in the FA Cup, Bayindir will be desperate for history to not repeat itself.

And should Onana remain in Ivory Coast for AFCON, it is almost certain that he will make his debut between the sticks under Erik ten Hag on Sunday.

Related Posts

“[Greg Norman] Would Go Absolutely Apesh*t at Me”: Ex-Caddie, Who Claimed Tiger Woods Treated Him Like a “Slave”, Once Revealed

You might know Steve Williams as a former caddie for Tiger Woods. He was on Woods’s bag from 1999 to 2011. During their time together, Woods won 63 PGA…

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s golf league announces new recruit who will play defining role

TGL, the tech-infused golf league being pioneered by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, will launch in just a few months and fans have been given a glimpse…

Amanda Balionis reveals she was left shaking over Tiger Woods interview which caused her to lose sleep

Amanda Balionis revealed that she was visibly shaking when she first interviewed Tiger Woods early into her days as a reporter for the PGA Tour. Speaking to Links Magazine, Balionis…

Tom Kim issues apology after criticism from golf fans for breaking unwritten PGA Tour rule

Tom Kim has issued an apology after the PGA Tour star was criticized for hitting his putter into a green during the final round of the FedEx…

‘Losing to [Phil Mickelson] Doesn’t Feel Very Good’: Tiger Woods Exposed Tense Equation With LIV Golfer Years Before Their Rift

In the field of golf, there is no doubt that one of the most exciting rivalries that has been witnessed is that between Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Their rivalry…

Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning receives Tiger Woods text about hole-in-one

Dan Lanning recently made his first hole-in-one at the Pebble Beach Par-3 course. Dan Lanning and his Oregon football team will begin their 2024 season on August 31st at home…