Manchester United summer signing Altay Bayindir has revealed the all-important ‘investment’ he made from his first pay cheque as a professional footballer.
Altay Bayindir arrived at Old Trafford last summer on deadline day, with Manchester United reportedly paying Turkish side Fenerbahce £4.3m for the transfer deal.
Erik ten Hag saw an overhaul of his goalkeeping options at the end of the previous campaign, with both David de Gea and Dean Henderson leaving the club.
Andre Onana arrived at United last summer as De Gea’s successor and established himself as United’s No 1 under Ten Hag, who he worked alongside at Ajax.
Bayindir has provided Ten Hag with a back-up option alongside Tom Heaton, though the former Fenerbahce man has not made an appearance for United so far.
However, Ten Hag has confirmed that Bayindir will finally make his long-awaited United debut in his side’s fourth-round FA Cup clash against Newport County today.
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How Bayindir spent his first pay cheque
Altay Bayindir became the first Turkish player to represent Manchester United after he signed for the club in 2023, with his current contract running until 2027.
The 25-year-old United shot-stopper started his senior playing career at Turkish side Ankaragucu and made 31 appearances for the club before he signed for Fenerbahce.
Bayindir was part of the youth set-ups for Bursaspor, Arabayatagispor, Bursa Yolspor and Ankaragucu before he made his senior debut in Turkey.
Speaking in a documentary (as per The Times), the former Ankaragucu and Fenerbahce player opened up on how he spent his first pay cheque when he was 16.
Bayindir revealed that one of the key investments he made was getting “psychological support,” with the Turkey international wanting to “improve” himself.
“I invested my first pay cheque as a professional in getting psychological support to improve myself,” he said.
Ten Hag hands Bayindir his United debut
Bayindir has patiently waited on the sideline at Old Trafford to make his debut for the club, despite Onana coming under fire for his howlers this season.
However, Ten Hag has turned to the United player for the FA Cup clash against Newport County due to Onana representing Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, the United boss said: “Yeah, he [Bayindir] will be in the goal.
“I think it is clear what we can expect from him. He waits for his chances but he is experienced.
“He played for a big club in Turkey where there is big pressure.”
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