Altay Bayindir arrived at Manchester United on September 1. Since then we have been waiting for the Turkish goalkeeper.
£4.3m arrival Bayindir always knew he would serve as understudy to £47m Andre Onana, Erik ten Hag's regular choice as the new No. 1 to replace David de Gea.
But the 25-year-old may have been a little surprised when he reached Christmas and still not played a minute for his new club.
The early rounds of the Carabao Cup? No. An odd Premier League outing to take Onana out of the spotlight amid criticism for high-profile mistakes? No.
A dead rubber in the Champions League group stage after United had already qualified? You're laughing.
Altay Bayindir, who has played less than a minute for Manchester United, is ready to grab his big chance with No. 1 goalkeeper Andre Onana to the Africa Cup of Nations
It has been reported that Onana fears he will lose his starting place to Bayindir
United manager Erik ten Hag signed both goalkeepers in the summer for a combined £51 million
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However, the 6ft Bayindir will get his big chance to impress when Onana represents Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
The tournament in Ivory Coast runs from January 13 to February 11 and if Cameroon perform well, Onana could miss up to six United matches.
Assuming Ten Hag chooses Bayindir over 37-year-old Tom Heaton, that's a lot of playing time for the Turk to prove he can do a superior job to Onana.
Depending on when Onana flies out, Bayindir could face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round on January 8.
There could also be league matches against Tottenham, Wolves, West Ham and Aston Villa, plus a potential FA Cup tie in the fourth round, in which the Turk could play a role.
He would need to perform exceptionally well to supplant Onana for good, as Ten Hag is developing a whole new style based on his comfort in passing the ball.
The United boss resisted the temptation to turn to Bayindir when Onana was blamed for several blunders in their ill-fated Champions League season.
But it has been reported that Onana fears losing his place as he continues to struggle to settle into his role at United.
Bayindir says goodbye to Fenerbahce fans shortly before signing for United
He is greeted by Erik ten Hag after completing his £4.3 million transfer on 1 September
Bayindir's latest action came last month when Turkey played Wales in the Euro 2024 qualifier
Even during the thrilling comeback win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day, Onana was criticized for failing to control his penalty area as he lost John McGinn's free-kick for the opener.
During his time in Turkey at first Ankaragucu and then Fenerbahce, Bayindir was regarded more as a shot-stopper than a goalkeeper in Onana's mould.
Don't expect him to be a copy when he comes in. United's defenders, who are now used to Onana standing miles away from his line and making long passes, will have to adapt.
The majority of Bayindir's touches come within his own penalty area and his passing range is much shorter.
However, his ability to parry shots and especially his one-on-one skills were respected in Turkey, and he should have greater authority than Onana when it comes to collecting high balls.
His biggest challenge will be shaking off the rust. Bayindir last played a club match on August 13, when Fenerbahce defeated Gaziantep 2-1 in their league opener.
Since then, his only appearances have been three international matches for Turkey, the last against Wales on November 21, when he replaced the injured Ugurcan Cakir in the first half.
Bayindir has played eight games for his country, but is not their number 1. Coach Senol Gunes alternates between him, Cakir of Trabzonspor and Mert Gunok of Besiktas.
The United stopper is in desperate need of some game time if he is to make good on his claim to be Turkey's first choice at the 2024 European Championship in the summer.
Whatever happens in the coming weeks, Bayindir is unlikely to displace Onana permanently given the amount of money United have invested in the former Inter Milan stopper.
Bayindir was certainly aware that he would be an understudy for Onana at Old Trafford
Ten Hag brought in Onana and changed United's style after David de Gea left the club
But Onana has been criticized after a series of costly mistakes since joining United
But a string of solid performances while Onana plays in the AFCON could mean Ten Hag uses him a little more in the second half of the season.
Likewise, United's early exit from Europe has reduced the workload, with only the top four of the Premier League and the FA Cup the focus. Onana may not need rest.
Bayindir could well come in and dazzle with his shot-stopping, sparking calls for Onana to be replaced permanently.
But let's not forget that Ten Hag signed Onana to usher in a brand new approach that is still a work in progress. It is unlikely to be abandoned so soon.
