Man United identify Altay Bayındır replacement amid Premier League competition

Manchester United are believed to have identified MLS goalkeeper Patrick Schulte as a possible replacement for the departing Altay Bayindir.

Several outlets in Turkey reported last month that Bayindir will be leaving Manchester United, just one season after the Turkish international joined the Red Devils.

According to those reports, Bayindir will return to his home country, signing a deal either permanent or temporary with Turkish giants Galatasaray.

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With Bayındır believed to be returning to the Super Lig, as well as third-choice keeper Tom Heaton having just a few months left on his deal, United have needed to scout a potential new backup keeper.

Now, it has been reported by the Daily Mail that United have scouted Columbus Crew keeper Schulte, with the United States international being analysed for a possible move to the Premier League giants.

Picking up his first international cap back in January, Schulte has kept 10 clean sheets in 40 MLS starts for Columbus Crew.

With Columbus undefeated in their first three games of this year’s MLS season, Schulte has played an integral part in their early season success.

If United are to chase Schulte’s signature then they will have to fend off competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal, who are also believed to have ‘extensively scouted’ Schulte.

Though Schulte is unlikely to become the Red Devils’ first-choice keeper after United signed Andre Onana last year, several Premier League clubs, including Liverpool and Newcastle, have been forced to turn to their backup keepers this season.

As for United’s current injury crisis, the Red Devils have been forced to look inward to solve their squad depth woes, with Erik ten Hag placing 21-year-old youth keeper Dermot Mee on the bench for the club’s 2-0 win over Everton last week.