Manchester United sought a new goalkeeper last summer following David de Gea’s departure. They opted to reunite Erik ten Hag with his former Ajax player Onana from Inter. However, agent Gonzalo Goni revealed that many within the club favored Emiliano Martinez instead, and some later regretted not bringing the Argentine to Old Trafford.
“Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach opted for Onana, because he already knew him,” Goni told ESPN. “But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martínez.”
Onana faced heavy criticism in his debut season at United as they endured their worst-ever Premier League finish, while Martinez played a crucial role in Aston Villa’s fourth-place finish and secured a spot in next season’s Champions League.
Martinez emerged as Argentina’s hero in a Copa America quarter-final shootout victory over Ecuador, securing their place in the semi-finals. Looking ahead, he aims to assist Argentina in reaching the final against Canada. Post-tournament, he plans to continue contributing to Villa’s success, though his agent didn’t rule out a potential summer transfer, stating, “Nothing is ever certain; discussions are ongoing, and we’re considering all options. Perhaps he will elevate Aston Villa to the level of Europe’s elite.”