Altay Bayindir eager to make more Manchester United appearances

NEWPORT, WALES - JANUARY 28: Altay Bayindir of Manchester United looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Newport County and Manchester United at Rodney Parade on January 28, 2024 in Newport, Wales. (Photo by Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images)

Altay Bayindir is hopeful to make his first appearance of the season for Manchester United against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup third round.

The Turkey international has only made one appearance for the club since joining from Galatasaray last year. He became the first Turkish player to appear for the Reds when starting the 4-2 win against Newport County in last season’s FA Cup run which ended in glory.

Bayindir has had to be patient for another opportunity and he could get that tonight at Old Trafford when United host Barnsley in the League Cup.

United also face FC Twente in the Europa League next week, which presents another opportunity for Bayindir to play at Old Trafford.

“I need to be ready always and I’m just waiting,” Bayindir told United Review. “I’m just working hard and, if you are a football player, you don’t know when a chance can come to you. And you need to be ready.

“I’m working hard at the training ground and it’s just that I want to play. I need more of a chance to take. Of course, it’s important for a player and I can say, in football, you have to do different things in training and in a game. They are two different things. You can work hard and do everything on the training ground but you need to show yourself in the game.

“It’s more important because, if you will show yourself in the game, everyone can see it because, of course, you need to work hard and you need to show yourself on the training ground. But it’s two different things. Do you know what I mean? You need to show yourself in the game and on the pitch.

“I didn’t get a long time of chances last year, I was just playing one game. And it is not enough for my personality but, in life, anything can happen. You just need to be focused. You need to work hard and everything can change in this life.”

The shot-stopper is aware of United’s busy schedule – competing in five different competitions – and he is hoping for another chance to impress Ten Hag.

“You need to be ready for every game because, in the year, we have a lot of games and it doesn’t matter what you did,” he added. “You can play bad, it’s finished. You can play good, it’s also finished. Next step, next step, next step always. I’m thinking like this and I will work hard always.

“I will be ready and, if I will get a chance, if I will be in goal, I will show myself and I will do my best.”

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