Manchester United's reserve goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is 'working hard' and hoping to make his first appearance of the season against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Bayindir joined from Fenerbahce in a €5million deal in the 2023 summer window and became the first Turkish player to appear for United when making his debut in the FA Cup.

United claimed a 4-2 victory against Newport County in January and Bayindir was finally given his debut for the club in that game, which came four months after his arrival.

The goalkeeper has not been seen since and that remains his only appearance for United. Although Bayindir was expected to play in cup competitions and some European games, Erik ten Hag rarely rotates his shot-stoppers and his matchday opportunities have been severely limited.

Despite that, Bayindir has remained upbeat in training at Carrington and is hopeful of playing in upcoming games against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup or FC Twente in the Europa League.

The Turkish international is yet to play a competitive game at Old Trafford and told club media: “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. 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.

“But it’s two different things. Do you know what I mean? You need to show yourself in the game and on the pitch. 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. You need to be ready for every game because, in the year, we have a lot of games and it doesn’t matter what you did.

“You can play bad, it’s finished. You can play good, it’s also finished. Next step, next step, next step always. I’m thinking like this and I will work hard always.

“I will be ready and, if I will get a chance, if I will be in goal, I will show myself and I will do my best.”

Patience and Determination

Bayindir's comments reveal a player who is both patient and determined. He recognizes that opportunities are limited, but he remains committed to being ready when his chance comes.

He has made clear his desire for more game time, highlighting the difference between training and actual matches. He believes that he needs to show what he can do on the pitch to truly prove his worth to both the manager and the fans.

Hoping for a Chance

The Carabao Cup presents Bayindir with his first real chance of playing at Old Trafford, a moment he has likely been waiting for since arriving in Manchester. While he has made his debut at a different stadium, Old Trafford holds a special place in the hearts of United supporters.

The match against Barnsley is an opportunity for Bayindir to demonstrate his skills and make a strong case for more playing time in the coming months. However, he knows that he must seize the moment, as he has yet to earn the trust of the manager to become the preferred choice over Andre Onana.

A Challenge for Bayindir

With the busy schedule ahead, Bayindir's chances of playing may increase as ten Hag seeks to rotate his squad. However, he must perform well and impress the manager if he is to secure a place in the team.

The competition for the goalkeeper position is fierce. Bayindir has to prove himself worthy of a place in the team if he is to break into the starting lineup.

A Key Moment for Bayindir

This is a key moment for Bayindir. If he can deliver a strong performance against Barnsley, it could be the turning point in his Manchester United career. He needs to showcase his abilities and demonstrate his worth to the club, both on and off the pitch.

Bayindir's journey has only just begun, but this is a chance for him to make a lasting impact at Manchester United.