Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insisted on signing Andre Onana over Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
That is according to The Independent reporter Miguel Delaney, who has claimed that Ten Hag was the one who decided against a move for Martinez in the summer of 2023.
So, what is being reported about Manchester United, Aston Villa and Emiliano Martinez?
Let’s take a look.
What’s the story?
Well, according to journalist Miguel Delaney in his Reading the Game newsletter in The Independent (1:32 pm, November 10, 2023), some at Manchester United wanted the club to sign Emiliano Martinez in the summer transfer window.
Martinez is the number one goalkeeper for Argentina and won the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The great Lionel Messi rates Martinez highly.
The goalkeeper could not establish himself in the Arsenal first team, but he has gone from strength to strength at Aston Villa following his £20 million transfer (The Guardian) in the summer of 2020.
However, Erik ten Hag insisted on Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, and United eventually signed him in the summer of 2023.
Delaney wrote: “One player that has picked up is Andre Onana, and that’s probably just as well because he was one Ten Hag really insisted upon.
“Emi Martinez was heavily pushed within United, as someone who was very ready to step up to an elite club after his exertions at the World Cup.
“Even the Argentine’s abrasive on-pitch personality was admired by some at the club.
“Ten Hag long wanted Onana, though, and that was who they went with.
“The Dutch coach is adamant people will see the real difference once he has close to his first-choice team back.”
Aston Villa the winners regarding Emiliano Martinez
In my view, Manchester United not making a move for Emiliano Martinez in the summer transfer window means that Aston Villa are the ‘winners’.
I believe that Martinez would have been tempted to leave Villa for United in the summer of 2023.
After all, the Red Devils are arguably the biggest club in England.
Villa are a better team with Martinez in it.
Martinez is at the top of his game at the moment and is not showing any signs of slowing down.
The 31-year-old is a safe pair of hands and is also a leader.
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