Altay Bayindir remained in high spirits despite being axed by Ruben Amorim following Manchester United’s commanding 2-0 triumph over Sunderland. The 27-year-old had been given the nod for United’s previous six Premier League encounters, three of which occurred after Senne Lammens’ arrival from Royal Antwerp in a deal potentially worth £21.6 million.
However, the Turkish ‘keeper struggled to persuade Amorim of his credentials as a dependable No 1, with last weekend’s woeful 3-1 capitulation at Brentford proving the breaking point. Lammens was then handed his maiden start between the sticks for Saturday’s game against Sunderland. The young Belgian not only secured a clean sheet, but delivered a display far more convincing than any Bayindir had managed this campaign.
Lammens garnered acclaim from the Old Trafford faithful and his manager following the match, which would understandably leave Bayindir feeling dejected. Yet this doesn’t seem to be the situation.
On Instagram, the Turkey international responded to United’s victory by sharing the final score alongside a red heart and flexed bicep emoji.
Bayindir was also spotted embracing Lammens on the turf after the final whistle.
Amorim explained before kick-off that his choice to sideline Bayindir was purely about squad rotation.
“Everybody has to be ready to play,” the United boss emphasised. “We need to win this game, every opponent is different, so we try to find the best characteristics to win every match.”
Reflecting on Lammens’ debut, Amorim told BBC Sport: “Senne did really well. We were a competitive and adult team today. We need to win these games with a clean sheet. Good for us.”
Mason Mount, who netted United’s opening goal before Benjamin Sesko doubled the lead, also lauded his new colleague.
“He was solid, when we were under pressure, the option was Ben [Sesko] and we worked off that,” he said.
“Buzzing for him, everyone was around him today, it can be tough making your first start. We want to be together and I felt that today, so we keep moving forward.”