Man Utd Back in for Emi Martinez as Goalkeeper Uncertainty Grows

Manchester United are once again turning their attention to Emi Martinez, with a fresh approach reportedly made to Aston Villa for the Argentina international. The move comes amid mounting frustrations over the current goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford, with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir both struggling to fully convince Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff.

Why Man Utd Are Eyeing Emi Martinez Again

When United signed Andre Onana in the summer of 2023, the club thought they were bringing in a modern goalkeeper capable of transforming their build-up play. Onana’s ball-playing skills were highlighted as a step forward from David de Gea, who had been criticised for his reluctance to step out of his six-yard box and dictate from the back.

But fast forward to the new season, and things haven’t gone quite as planned. Onana has yet to feature in the Premier League this term, and tellingly, after being used in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town, he found himself back on the bench. Instead, Altay Bayindir has been given the chance to stake his claim.

Unfortunately for Bayindir, the Turkish shot-stopper has not looked entirely convincing. His performances have been marked by hesitancy in the air and moments where he struggled to dominate his area. For a club like Manchester United, where scrutiny is relentless and mistakes are magnified, that has sparked internal concerns.

This uncertainty has led United to reassess their options and, once again, Martinez has emerged as a serious candidate.

The Appeal of Emi Martinez

Grimsby Town v Manchester United – Carabao Cup Second Round Martinez

There are not many goalkeepers in world football with a CV as decorated as Martinez’s in recent years. The Aston Villa man isn’t just known for his penalty heroics with Argentina – he is currently the only goalkeeper to have won the Yashin Trophy and The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award twice each.

Even more impressively, Martinez is the reigning holder of both awards, having swept them again in 2024. His reputation as a big-game player is unrivalled, from his World Cup-winning performances in Qatar to his commanding presence in the Premier League with Villa.

For United, that pedigree is tempting. Martinez is experienced, he’s vocal, and he thrives in high-pressure moments – qualities their current goalkeeping department appears to be lacking.

Villa’s Position and United’s Timing

The big question, of course, is whether Aston Villa would be willing to sanction a sale this late in the transfer window. At the end of last season, Martinez seemed to wave goodbye to fans at Villa Park, with reports suggesting he had decided to move on. Yet he began the new campaign as Villa’s undisputed number one, starting their opening fixtures as if nothing had changed.

That said, Unai Emery’s side did prepare themselves for potential goalkeeper movement in the summer. The signing of Marco Bizot, the veteran Dutch keeper from Brest, provided Villa with a reliable deputy. Bizot even started on the opening weekend when Martinez was suspended, proving Villa do have cover in place.

That dynamic could work in United’s favour. Villa are not under massive pressure to find a replacement, and if the price is right, they might see sense in allowing their Argentine star to move on.

The Lammens Factor

Martinez

Another wrinkle in this transfer story is United’s parallel pursuit of Senne Lammens. The Belgian goalkeeper, currently at Royal Antwerp, is seen as one for the future and negotiations are still alive. According to Fabrizio Romano, talks with Antwerp are progressing, but nothing has been finalised.

This is where timing becomes crucial. With Monday’s deadline looming, United are keeping their options open. If the Lammens deal stalls on Sunday, it’s entirely possible that the club will switch its full focus to Martinez. Having an alternative ready to go suggests the Red Devils are not willing to gamble on entering the season with a shaky goalkeeping set-up.

A Short-Term Fix or Long-Term Solution?

One of the more intriguing aspects of a potential move for Martinez is what it would say about United’s planning. At 32, the Argentina international still has plenty of years left at the top, but he isn’t a “project” signing in the same way Lammens would be. Bringing in Martinez would be a statement that United need stability now, not in three years’ time.

Ten Hag has repeatedly spoken about the importance of building a spine of proven winners in his squad. Martinez, with his experience at both club and international level, fits that mould. His presence would demand authority in the dressing room and could ease the nerves of a backline that has been anything but consistent.

What This Means for Onana and Bayindir

Of course, the elephant in the room is what this move would mean for United’s existing keepers. Onana’s reputation as a Champions League-level goalkeeper has been dented by his difficult introduction to English football, but the club invested heavily in him. To move on so quickly would raise questions about recruitment strategy.

Bayindir, meanwhile, was always seen as a gamble – a goalkeeper with potential, but untested in the Premier League. His struggles are not entirely surprising given the jump in quality and pressure. If United push through for Martinez, both Onana and Bayindir would suddenly find themselves demoted to backup roles, a scenario neither imagined a year ago.

The Final Hours of the Window

As it stands, Manchester United’s pursuit of Emi Martinez is still in the exploratory stage, with conversations held with both Villa and the player’s camp. But with deadline day approaching, decisions need to be made quickly.

If United land Lammens, Martinez might remain at Villa Park for now. If talks collapse, however, Martinez could be the one to ride in and steady the ship at Old Trafford. The fact that Villa already have Bizot waiting in the wings makes this a more realistic possibility than some might think.

For United supporters, the return of Martinez to the transfer headlines might feel like déjà vu. But for Erik ten Hag, this could be the moment where a decisive move transforms his side’s season. With Premier League points already slipping away and defensive uncertainty mounting, the need for a commanding presence between the sticks has rarely felt greater.