Despite the Andre Onana situation, which has caused the Premier League’s biggest clubs to wait until the very last minute to send him to AFCAN, Altay Bayindir, the second-choice goalkeeper, continues to have the full trust of Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

With Onana scheduled to take a temporary leave of absence from AFCON, Bayindir’s time in the spotlight may finally come.

Despite joining the Red Devils for £4.3 million from Fenerbahce, Bayindir has not played a single minute in a competitive game. But now that Onana is cup-tied and off to the African Cup of Nations, the Turkish international’s chance is beckoning.

The club’s decision to delay Onana’s debut has ruffled some feathers. United believed the shot-stopper had abandoned international commitments during his move, only to see him reverse his decision shortly after the season began.

This unexpected development forced Ten Hag to adapt.

Despite the Onana situation, Ten Hag remains confident in Bayindir’s abilities. Whether it’s the 25-year-old or veteran Tom Heaton, United are prepared to rely on their backup options during Onana’s absence.

The question remains: can Bayindir rise to the occasion? His lack of playing time raises concerns, but his strong performances for Fenerbahce and the Turkish national team offer a ray of hope.

“At some point Andre will go,” said Ten Hag. “We are totally happy and we constructed this group of keepers because we are comfortable with this.

“We have confidence in them both. They are very good goalkeepers, both experienced at the highest levels. I think we can have a lot of belief that we have coverage.”

The coming weeks will determine if he can prove his worth in the demanding pressure cooker of Old Trafford.