Altay Bayindir comments before Man Utd vs Barnsley speak volumes about keeper

Altay Bayindir has sent a message to Erik ten Hag ahead of Manchester United’s League Cup clash with Barnsley tonight.

Ten Hag’s men return to Old Trafford for the first time since last month’s humiliating Premier League defeat against rivals Liverpool.

Fortunately for the Dutch coach, tonight’s opponents are unlikely to provide the same level of threat, with United drawn against League One outfit Barnsley.

However, the match should represent a chance for Ten Hag to hand minutes to those players who have been on the periphery of his squad so far this season.

One of those is Bayindir, who has had to wait in the wings at the Red Devils, with Ten Hag favouring No.1 goalkeeper Andre Onana, even in cup competitions.

Bayindir made just one appearance for the three-time European champions last season – something he’s keen to build on this term.

Speaking to Man United’s official website before tonight’s League Cup tie, Bayindir said: “I need to be ready always and I’m just waiting. 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.

He added: “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…

“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 League Cup has been kind to United in recent seasons, with the Old Trafford outfit having reached the semi-finals in three of the last five campaigns.

If they’re to do the same this season, perhaps even repeating their winning run from two years ago, Bayindir can ill-afford any slip-ups between the sticks, should he be given the nod by Ten Hag.