With Andre Onana away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Altay Bayindir could be in with a chance of making his Manchester United debut later this month.
The 25-year-old is yet to play a first-team game for the Reds since signing from Fenerbahce on transfer deadline day, 1 September, with Onana being an ever-present following his summer transfer to the club.
The Cameroonian has already made 30 appearances in all competitions, while Bayindir has had to wait patiently for his big opportunity. Whether or not that comes at Newport County in next Sunday's Emirates FA Cup tie remains to be seen, given Tom Heaton will also be eager to play again and add to his three United outings so far.
Whoever is selected between our posts at Rodney Parade, the club’s goalkeepers will continue to support each other on and off the pitch, with the bubbly Bayindir revealing just how close they are as a group.
“We have good team-mates and everyone is positive every day. That’s the most important thing for us,”
said Altay in our exclusive interview.
“All the goalkeepers, their character is very nice. We are always positive. Of course, we are fighting [to be] on the pitch, because everyone wants to play with the team in the stadium.
“But we have a good energy. It doesn’t matter who is playing, because we will, of course, support them every time.
“Team spirit is very important, you know? If we are doing this, we can be successful in the game, it’s very important. I think if we’re always doing that, we can always go up.”
In the short time he’s been in Manchester, we’ve spoken to Altay on several occasions, including for the official UTD Podcast.
Although English is not his first language, our no.1 always does his best to converse and it is clear that he has an infectious personality, ensuring he fits in well with his fellow glovesmen at Carrington.
“We have very good communication, because we know this is very important for us,”
he added.
“We are fighting [to be the best] in the training and when we are going outside, we are best friends. We have a very good energy because, I already said this, it's very important. Team, spirit, soul. But everyone I think inside has a clear heart.
“It's not about just goalkeepers. All players have good heart and we are fighting for this great family always.
“Our position is a little bit different and difficult for us. But if you are doing well, everyone is OK. We are friendly, we are always positive. Everyone wants to play.
“When we are going out for dinner, we are always together. It’s very good. We will continue with this feeling because we are a very big family.”
The Turkey international explained, via our podcast, how he originally decided to become a goalkeeper, after an old coach and then his mother convinced him of the positives of the position.
But he also has another answer when asked why he stands between the sticks.
According to Bayindir, he thrives on the responsibility of being the only player between the ball and the goal and having so many people relying on him.
“When I'm younger, I was watching a lot of games and I don't remember which game, but one game, I'm watching with my parents.
“In this game I saw a penalty and all the fans were just looking for the goalkeeper: please, you can catch the ball.
“I was feeling this energy and [so was] the president, manager, all players on the pitch, everyone.
“Everything is just in the goalkeeper’s hands. If he does the save, everyone will be happy.
“I was thinking, it’s a very good feeling to be able to do this: I will be a goalkeeper.”