Manchester United fans have seen a number of legendary goalkeepers through the years.
When you consider Manchester United’s modern day greats like Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar among the club’s best ever goalkeepers, you also have to go even further back through the club’s glorious history.
One of the very best to play for the club was 1968 European Cup winner Alex Stepney, who famously denied Eusebio in the final.
And while none of United’s current goalkeepers can hold a candle to Stepney’s achievements, he spotted something he liked in the team’s recent win.
Alex Stepney hails Altay Bayindir
No stranger to penalty saves, Alex Stepney was genuinely impressed by Altay Bayindir’s heroics for Manchester United.
Bayindir defied all pre-match expectations, that had seen him lined up as a potential weak point in the United side against Arsenal.
The Turkish international saved a penalty in the second half to keep United in the game, before proving doing it all over again in the shootout.
It was a special moment for the goalkeeper, the best of his career at the club, and Stepney was impressed.
Stepney, who has previously raved about what it was like playing alongside George Best, hailing him as a genius, speaking to United In Focus, had special words for the Red Devils’ goalkeeper against Arsenal.
Stepney, now 82, wrote on X: “Well done Altay, I would’ve been proud of that performance today. Up the reds.”
Edwin van der Sar also praised Bayindir
Altay Bayindir’s big performance was one watched by Manchester United fans around the world.
Another legendary former United stopper, 2008 Champions League winner Edwin van der Sar reached out to hail Bayindir, responding to his Instagram post, writing: “Well done my friend!”
If Bayindir did not really feel like a Manchester United player before, he will now. This was a breakthrough moment.
When you have genuine legends like Stepney and Van der Sar reaching out to congratulate you, it’s pretty clear you have produced a memorable performance.
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