.png)
4 months ago
28 
Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez had an opportunity to join Manchester United last summer.
The Reds were in the market for a new first-choice goalkeeper to replace David de Gea, with Erik ten Hag opting for Andre Onana from Inter Milan.
United also signed Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce as a backup option for Onana.
However, Emiliano Martinez’s agent revealed his client was close to swapping Villa Park for Old Trafford.
Gonzalo Goni claims United decided to go with Onana because Ten Hag knew him better.
“Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach chose Onana, because he already knew him,” Goni told ESPN.
“But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martinez.”
You can tell Goni exaggerates at the end when he says ‘everyone’ at United later maintained that Martinez was the ideal option.
If that was the case, why did they sign Onana? This is just an example of someone using hindsight to their benefit.
That said, I wouldn’t swap Onana for Martinez. They’re both fantastic goalkeepers but we’ve already got the better one.
Martinez kept 15 clean sheets and conceded 61 goals from 47 games last season.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.

