Now, one of Erik ten Hag’s signings would have arrived at Old Trafford knowing that first-team opportunities were likely to be rather scarce in Manchester United colours.
Unlike Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and more – all of whom joined the Red Devils with the intention of slotting straight into the Dutchman’s starting XI – a player who put pen to paper during the summer of 2023 was always viewed as something of a back-up option.
Manchester United, after all, had already signed Andre Onana earlier in that very same window, spending £47 million to replace the departed David de Gea.
But Altay Bayindir, United’s new number two, could still have been forgiven for expecting more opportunities than he’s been granted. The Turkey international has featured only once, against fourth-tier Newport County in the FA Cup, after all.
Altay Bayindir may leave Manchester United already
With Onana preferred not only for the Premier League but also the Champions League, the Carabao Cup and the later rounds of the FA Cup, Bayindir has actually played more games for his country than he has for his club in 2023/24.
And with Man United reportedly in pursuit of Columbus Crew stopper Patrick Schulte, that January afternoon in South Wales may end up being Bayindir’s first and last appearance in Manchester United colours.
According to Turkish publication Internet Haber, Trabzonspor have met with Bayindir, and are planning to bring the former Fenerbahce ‘keeper back to his homeland in the off-season. Trabzonspor, Super Lig champions in 2021, can reportedly get a deal done for just £2.5 million.
That is around half the fee United paid Fener less than 12 months ago.
Schulte, meanwhile, is valued at around £11 million by MLS outfit Columbus Crew. The Missouri-born 23-year-old recently saved two penalties in a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final victory over Mexican outfit Tigres, and is a big fan of USA legend and former Man United glovesman Tim Howard.
Patrick Schulte a Red Devils transfer target
“When I grew up, (my idol) was always Tim Howard. That’s when I started my transition into a goalkeeper, when he was killing it at the (2014) World Cup. I definitely always looked up to him and wanted to have a career like him,” says Schulte, a very modern goalkeeper who understands the importance of helping dictate play from his own penalty area.
“But I also watched a lot of (Manuel) Neuer growing up, you know playing out from the back, being courageous, (being) a sweeper-keeper and making crazy saves.”
Man United are expected to utilise their new Ineos connections in the summer market. Nice, the Ligue 1 outfit also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reportedly have three players on United’s radar; ball-playing defender Jean-Clair Todibo, swaggering playmaker Khephren Thuram, and left-back Melvin Bard.
Nice ‘keeper Marcin Bulka has also been mentioned as another member of the Francesco Farioli squad who would fit in at Old Trafford.
“I believe this is what will happen. Several big clubs will be looking for a goalkeeper,” Ludovic Obraniak, who was part of the Lille side knocked out of the Champions League by a Henrik Larsson goal back in 2007, tells Sportowe Fakty of his fellow Pole.
“In my opinion, Manchester United will try to find someone. And Real Madrid, after another injury to (Thibaut) Courtois, may go to the market for a goalkeeper.
“Absolutely (Bulka could move to one of these clubs). In my opinion, he is a player who will play for a big club sooner or later.”
