Altay Bayindir Shines in Manchester United's Pre-Season Victory
Altay Bayindir's penalty save proved pivotal in Manchester United's victory over Fiorentina in their final pre-season friendly.
This match coincided with the return of David de Gea to Old Trafford.
Two summers ago, De Gea was released by United after making 545 appearances, ranking seventh on the club's all-time list. His departure came as then-manager Erik ten Hag opted to invest £47.2 million in Andre Onana from Inter Milan.
At that time, De Gea contemplated retiring from football but ultimately chose to continue his career, although discussions about the rationale behind his exit persist.
Many fans question whether Onana's acquisition was justified.
On this occasion, a direct comparison between the two goalkeepers was not possible, as Onana was sidelined due to a hamstring injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming Premier League opener against Arsenal.
Should Onana remain unfit, Bayindir is poised to take his place.
Initially, Bayindir was expected to depart United this summer after losing out to Onana in the competition for a spot in the Europa League final, which ended in defeat against Tottenham. However, interest in Bayindir from other clubs has been limited.
His confidence received a boost after successfully saving a penalty from Fabiano Parisi, the only goalkeeper to make a save in the 5-4 shootout that followed a 1-1 draw.
‘Sometimes it’s difficult to describe with words’
By the time the penalty shootout occurred, De Gea had already been substituted, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd of over 60,000, similar to the warm welcome he received during the match's warm-up.
This was the farewell he had not received in 2023.
“It’s a game I’ll never forget, for sure,” remarked the 34-year-old. “Sometimes it’s difficult to describe with words how you feel on the pitch, seeing the crowd, with everybody there. It was so emotional for me.”
De Gea expressed gratitude towards his former club, acknowledging that “you can’t control everything” regarding his departure.
However, there remains some dissatisfaction. The prevailing opinion is that De Gea’s kicking ability did not meet Ten Hag’s expectations.
Yet, in a similar scenario two years prior, Onana's distribution from the back resulted in a goal for the opposition, highlighting that kicking is just one aspect of a goalkeeper’s skill set. De Gea’s former teammate, Nemanja Matic, previously commented on the emotional impact of De Gea’s departure, suggesting that Onana should show more humility in his statements.
On Saturday, De Gea relished his return to Manchester, despite a few mishaps, including a loose kick and a collision that led to United’s equalizing goal, credited as an own goal by Robin Gosens.
He made several impressive saves, including a crucial stop against Leny Yoro, who was visibly frustrated by the denial.
Bayindir also showcased his skills, particularly with a notable save against former Everton striker Moise Kean, although an offside flag had been raised.
While few would argue Bayindir is an upgrade over De Gea, that is not the primary concern. There are claims that De Gea's performances declined once he realized the direction of his career at United. Nevertheless, many fans would still prefer De Gea in goal against Arsenal over Onana.
However, that scenario is unlikely, as their respective paths have diverged.
‘He’s the reason I came to United’
Now, De Gea can only observe from a distance, knowing that since his last appearance in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, his former club has sought redemption, finishing eighth and then 15th—unthinkable for a club of its stature.
On Friday, De Gea had the opportunity to meet Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought him to United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, expressing immense respect for the legendary manager.
“He’s the boss, the reason I came to United,” De Gea stated.
As for his former club, he shares the hope for a brighter future. “I know it’s been some years that United have struggled a bit, but it’s one of the best clubs in the world. It’s a massive club, and hopefully, this year with the new signings and the manager starting a new era, they can achieve something significant. I hope they can be where they deserve to be this year.”