Ruben Amorim on Altay Bayindir’s chances to replace Andre Onana as number one choice - 'Always an even fight'

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Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir are battling it out to become Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper, and Ruben Amorim insists it is an "even fight" for the No. 1 spot. Bayindir started ahead of Onana in United's UEFA Europa League win against Rangers, but Amorim insists the decision to start the Turkish star was purely reflective of his desire to rotate his squad.

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Ruben Amorim believes it is an "even fight" between Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in the battle to become Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper.

Bayindir was selected ahead of Onana for United's 2-1 victory over Rangers in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.

A moment of madness from Onana contributed to a torrid evening in their prior match, as United fell to a 3-1 loss against Brighton last Sunday, their fourth Premier League defeat in six games.

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Amorim insists the decision to play Bayindir instead of Onana was purely down to his desire to rotate, but believes it is an even battle to be first-choice at Old Trafford ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Fulham - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"It is always an even fight but this was rotation, it was prepared," Amorim said in his pre-match press conference. "I also think about the mistake and the idea I think about is the message I send to you guys and the fans.

"The rotation was done and everything was prepared, and we will deal with that normally.

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"We have two really good goalkeepers, and they need time to play, the space in the team.

"So this rotation was prepared but that mistake was my concern and, in the end, we continue with the same plan that we did last week.

"I see him in the same way, and he is prepared to help the team in the right way and that is the most important thing."

Marcus Rashford has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford ahead of the end of the January transfer window, having previously told sports journalist Henry Winter that he is "ready for a new challenge".

Amorim refused to comment on whether he will reintegrate the forward into his squad if he stays at the club beyond the January transfer window.

"I don’t know. I really don’t know," he said. "Guys, it’s eight days, eight days until the end and then we will see at the end of the window and then we will talk about that in the moment."

United sit 13th in the Premier League table amid a difficult campaign, which has seen Amorim struggle to improve results since succeeding Erik ten Hag.

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Bruno Fernandes relieved the pressure on Amorim with a late winner in the victory against Rangers - putting United in pole position for an automatic knockout spot in the Europa League - and the Portuguese coach believes his compatriot's passion will be key in his side's battle to improve results.

"He is a top player and people talk a lot about his frustration and [they] always talk a lot about his arms in the air, sometimes it is not a good thing to see but you have to see the other side," he added.

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"When we are under pressure, he is always the guy that wants the ball and he is always available, that is so important. Especially in the Premier League and then, he can run, and he runs a lot, he can fight a lot.

"He has two side and I have to help him manage both situations. We are lucky to have a player like Bruno Fernandes.

"Sometimes he makes mistakes, like me last week, but he is really important and he has passion. This is so important to be a football player."

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

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