Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Altay Bayindir will make his debut for the Red Devils in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round contest with Newport County.
Bayindir arrived at Old Trafford from Fenerbahce last summer, but he is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club, with Andre Onana the number one goalkeeper.
Onana is currently with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, which has opened the door for Bayindir to make his first appearance, and Ten Hag has confirmed that the Turkey international will get the nod ahead of the experienced Tom Heaton in the FA Cup clash.
The head coach also insisted that Bayindir's previous experiences will allow him to cope with the pressure of turning out for the 20-time English champions for the first time.
"He will be in the goal. What we can expect for him, he waits for his chance but he is experienced, played in a big club in Turkey under big pressure," Ten Hag told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"He knows how to deal with it, we were convinced when we brought him into this club... so we are looking forward to Sunday. Altay is waiting for this moment and this is his moment.
"You have been in Fenerbahce? Pressure. Also, Turkey, that is big pressure always, also for the national team so he knows how to deal with it."
Bayindir, who is a six-time Turkey international, gained a host of experience during his time at Fenerbahce, making 145 appearances for the Turkish giants.
The goalkeeper also played four times earlier this season before his switch to Old Trafford, with Man United signing him as a replacement for Dean Henderson.
There have been huge questions asked of Onana's displays this season, with the Cameroon international finding it difficult to show his best form since arriving at Old Trafford.
Onana delayed his arrival at the Africa Cup of Nations in order to remain with Man United for their Premier League clash with Man United on January 14, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Cameroon will take on Nigeria in the last-16 stage of the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night, and a defeat for Onana's team could mean that he is back between the sticks for Man United's next Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 1.
The tournament runs until February 11, though, so there is a chance that the current number one at Old Trafford could be missing for the team's next four matches. body check tags ::
