4 hours ago
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Life arsenic a second-choice goalkeeper tin beryllium hard, particularly erstwhile you play for 1 of the biggest clubs successful the world.
Altay Bayindir was the taxable of ridicule successful December erstwhile helium conceded nonstop from Son Heung-Min's 88th-minute country successful Manchester United's agonising 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final cupful decision by Tottenham.
But, conscionable 1 month, and 1 appearance, later, his manager Ruben Amorim described him arsenic "our hero" arsenic the 26-year-old made the important publication to his side's FA Cup third-round triumph astatine Arsenal connected penalties aft a 1-1 draw.
The Turkey international's appearances person been constricted to cupful competitions since joining United successful September 2023 for a interest of £4.3m from Fenerbahce, with his 4 games this play successful the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
But aft the symptom of that Tottenham nonaccomplishment and doubts astir his ability, Bayindir took the acclaim arsenic United overcame the Gunners astatine Emirates Stadium, contempt having Diogo Dalot sent disconnected successful the 61st infinitesimal of a crippled that went into other time.
"Your beingness arsenic a footballer has cycles and moments," admitted United brag Amorim.
"Sometimes successful 1 week, your beingness tin alteration and you tin spot [that with] Altay. Against Tottenham everyone was biting their fingers for Altay and I recognize that - and contiguous helium was our hero.
"He's a bully guy, helium works a batch and beingness has beauteous things.
"All the players successful this squad person the accidental and they are fortunate due to the fact that they are playing for Manchester United. It doesn't substance if you play 1 crippled oregon 90 games, it's ever a joyousness to play for this club."
It was Bayindir's superb prevention successful the country to halt Martin Odegaard's punishment successful the 72nd infinitesimal that changed the momentum of the match. Arsenal would person led 2-1 astatine that constituent with an other antheral advantage.
Inspired by that, United showed antiaircraft defiance to instrumentality the necktie into a punishment shootout, wherever Bayindir again stretched his 6ft 6in framework to support retired a debased effort from Kai Havertz - the lone spot-kick missed of the 9 taken.
Those saves meant helium was the archetypal Premier League goalkeeper connected grounds successful the FA Cup (since the 2013-14 season) to prevention a punishment successful some mean clip and a punishment shootout successful the aforesaid game.
Named subordinate of the lucifer afterwards, Bayindir said helium conscionable wanted "to assistance this large team".
"I privation to marque everyone blessed for this large club. I'm moving present each day." helium added.
"If you are not playing, it doesn't matter. You person to beryllium acceptable each minute, each second. If you are a Man Utd subordinate you person to beryllium acceptable always."
Former England striker Alan Shearer, speaking connected BBC's Match of the Day coverage, said the goalkeeper was "absolutely outstanding".
"He holds his nerve, helium doesn't blink first," helium added. "When you get fixed an opportunity, you person to instrumentality it and helium took it today."
United skipper Bruno Fernandes, whose good opening extremity was cancelled retired by Gabriel's onslaught for Arsenal, added: "It's a large infinitesimal for him, the archetypal punishment and different prevention present and we are truly blessed for him.
"It's pugnacious to beryllium 2nd goalkeeper. He came present to play, whenever helium gets his accidental he's apical people for us, he's apical people successful training, he's ever disposable for everyone and helium genuinely deserves this moment."
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