Life as a second-choice goalkeeper at one of the world’s biggest football clubs can be a rollercoaster ride.
For Altay Bayindir, that ride took an unexpected turn in December 2024 after his costly error in Manchester United’s 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham.
Conceding directly from Son Heung-Min’s 88th-minute corner, Bayindir became the subject of ridicule, and doubts swirled around his future at Old Trafford.
But just a month later, the 26-year-old Turkish international silenced his critics and earned the admiration of his manager, Ruben Amorim.
Describing Bayindir as “our hero,” Amorim hailed the goalkeeper for his pivotal role in United’s FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
After a tense 1-1 draw, Bayindir played a starring role in the penalty shootout, helping secure the win for United.
Bayindir’s appearances this season have been limited to cup competitions, following his £4.3m move from Fenerbahce in September 2023.
With just four games to his name—spread across the Carabao Cup and FA Cup—Bayindir’s opportunities to prove himself have been few and far between.
However, the goalkeeper has made the most of those chances, particularly during the FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
The game was a true test of character for United. After Diogo Dalot’s red card in the 61st minute, the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men, and Arsenal looked poised to take the lead. That’s when Bayindir’s moment arrived.
With the score tied 1-1, Martin Ødegaard stepped up to take a penalty for the Gunners in the 72nd minute. Bayindir, using his 6ft 6in frame, dived to his right and made a brilliant save, keeping United in the game.
The save proved to be a game-changer, as it shifted the momentum in United’s favour despite being a man down. The match proceeded to extra time and eventually to penalties, where Bayindir’s heroics continued.
With the shootout evenly poised, he stretched his long limbs to deny Kai Havertz, whose low shot was blocked by Bayindir’s outstretched leg. That save proved crucial, as it was the only penalty missed of the nine taken in the shootout.
Bayindir’s performance marked a historic moment in the FA Cup. He became the first Premier League goalkeeper on record (since the 2013-14 season) to save a penalty in both normal time and a penalty shootout in the same game.
His actions not only secured the win for United but also reinforced his resilience after the heartbreak against Tottenham.
United boss Amorim reflected on the unpredictable nature of football, acknowledging that Bayindir’s life as a footballer had changed dramatically in just one week.
“Sometimes in one week, your life can change and you can see that with Altay,” Amorim said. “Against Tottenham, everyone was biting their fingers for Altay and I understand that—and today he was our hero.”
As United advanced to the next round of the FA Cup, Bayindir’s redemption was complete. Despite the pressure of being a backup goalkeeper at one of the most high-profile clubs in the world, his composure and crucial contributions ensured that he would be remembered as the hero of the night.
For Bayindir, football is full of cycles, and this moment proved that even in the face of adversity, a player’s fortunes can change in the blink of an eye.
