Emi Martinez breaks silence on last summer’s failed Man United move | OneFootball

Aston Villa goalkeeper has shed light on last summer’s failed deadline day transfer to Manchester United, revealing his current feelings on it.

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Towards the end of last summer’s window, it became increasingly clear that Andre Onana’s time at the club was coming to an end and his counterpart, Altay Bayindir, could not be relied upon to man the sticks for United throughout an entire season.

Then-manager Ruben Amorim started the campaign with Bayindir in goal but his mistakes prompted United to dip into the market for a late solution.

United narrowed their choices down to two names: Martinez and Senne Lammens. Both keepers were keen on a switch to Old Trafford, and with the clock winding down, United had to make a decision. United eventually opted for the younger Lammens, forking out £18.2m to secure his services from Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp.

Martinez, who had seemingly said goodbye to Villa with tears and a farewell lap of the stadium, was left anxiously waiting on a move to United. The transfer ultimately fell through, even though Amorim preferred the more experienced Argentine over Lammens.

The World Cup winner ended up staying at Villa. Meanwhile, Lammens has made the United starting role his own, regularly delivering top-class performances.

Lammens has proven to be a real difference maker and looks set to be the main man at United for at least the next decade. In hindsight, all signs point to the Red Devils making the right choice.

Ahead of Villa’s Europa League final clash against Freiburg, Martinez reflected on the events and last summer and indicated that he is pleased with how they panned out.

Martinez’s admission

Martinez said, “Well, I say goodbye and I cry when I left my family from Argentina to England as well.”

“Sometimes football can change, managers can come in and go. You know, in football people move around the place. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have full respect for the club. I love the club.”

“I have a commitment with Aston Villa. I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa, I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club.”

“One day I am going to retire, so someone else will need to be between the sticks.”

He added, “Listen, I am in a European final and we have got Champions League again with all the circumstances that we have had and battles we have had this year. We are one of the lowest spenders in the Premier League.”

“We have a top coach, a top captain [John McGinn] and a decent core of the team. When we stick together and when we fight together, I think that we can beat anybody. I am really proud to stay – I made the right choice.”

Meanwhile, United return to action on Sunday when they go away to Brighton & Hove Albion in their final game of the season.

Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images

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