Craig Burley Slams Man United Goalkeeper Altay Bayındır as “Absolutely Useless”

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has delivered a stinging criticism of Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, calling him “absolutely useless” ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Burley urged Pep Guardiola’s men to target the Turkish international, claiming his struggles in dealing with aerial balls make him the weak link in United’s squad.

“Whether it’s free-kicks, corners, any set-piece—I’m swinging it in under the crossbar,” Burley said. “Hell, if Man City have somebody that takes long throw-ins, I’m throwing it in Rory Delap-style as well, just piling it into the box.

“He [Bayındır] is absolutely hopeless in coming out and dealing with aerial balls, he has shown that. Altay Bayındır—they can’t play him. He might be okay at shot-stopping, which is what goalkeepers are paid for, but he’s absolutely useless at dealing with balls in from set-pieces.”

Burley’s remarks come as Bayındır is expected to step in for Andre Onana, leaving fans and pundits debating whether United’s defense can withstand City’s relentless attacking style.

Opinion: Harsh Words or Hard Truth?

Burley’s comments may sound brutal, but they raise a fair question about United’s defensive stability. Bayındır is relatively untested at this level, and in a match as high-stakes as the Manchester derby, every weakness is magnified.

City are masters at exploiting vulnerabilities, and Guardiola will no doubt have noticed Bayındır’s hesitancy with crosses. Still, labeling him “absolutely useless” seems overly harsh. Goalkeepers thrive on confidence, and such public criticism could pile unnecessary pressure on a player already stepping into a difficult situation.

For Manchester United, this is bigger than just a goalkeeping issue—it’s about mentality. If Bayındır rises to the occasion, he could silence doubters and even win the trust of Old Trafford. If he falters, Burley’s words may look less like criticism and more like prophecy.

One thing is certain: the derby spotlight just got hotter, and Bayındır has everything to prove.