Manchester United reportedly made contact with Aston Villa over signing goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the winter transfer window.
United, who endured a miserable campaign, finishing in 15th and missing out on European football for just the second time in 35 years, were looking to bolster their squad ahead of a difficult second half of the season.
Current shot-stopper Andre Onana made a number of high-profile errors throughout the campaign and was eventually dropped by Ruben Amorim for United’s clash against Newcastle in April.
And the Cameroonian’s inconsistent form saw the Red Devils turn their attention towards the Argentine.
Amorim’s side contacted Villa about a move for Martinez in the January transfer window but eventually decided to keep faith in Onana, according to Argentine outlet TyC Sports.
That decision may have cost United, with Onana’s form failing to pick up in the second half of the season.
Manchester United reportedly made contact with Villa over signing Emi Martinez in January
Martinez’s likely last match for Villa was cut short with a calamitous red card against United
He was sent off in Villa’s loss at Old Trafford – as they missed out on the Champions League
The 29-year-old made a series of errors, including two in a 2-2 draw against Lyon in the first leg of their crucial Europa League quarter-final.
It came after Onana had been involved in a war of words with former United – and now Lyon – midfielder Matic.
Matic had taken exception to Onana claiming Lyon are a ‘very good team’ but that ‘I think we are better than them’, branding the shot-stopper ‘one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United history’.
Onana’s words came back to haunt him as he made mistakes for both Lyon goals and he was jeered by the French side’s supporters throughout the game.
His poor form culminated in being replaced by Altay Bayinidir, who made his own clanger during United’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle.
TYC Sports also claim that United will be interested in Martinez if he leaves Villa this summer.
The Argentine, who was named the Best Fifa Men’s Goalkeeper for the second time in three years in December, looks set to leave Villa Park.
Martinez with his partner, Mandinha, at Villa Park after possibly his final home game for Villa
The former Arsenal goalkeeper moved to Villa in 2020 and won the World Cup in 2022
The 32-year-old moved to Aston Villa five years ago from Arsenal and has shone, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals this season.
He appeared to bid farewell to Villa fans and was in tears during their final home game, a 2-0 win over Tottenham, last month.
He was then sent off in the final Premier League game of the season – a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford which saw Villa miss out on the Champions League to Newcastle.
Asked about his future ahead of Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Martinez said: ‘I don’t know, I come here to play for the national team, and that’s the only thing that matters to me right now.
‘Do I want to move to a new club? The transfer window just opened, so there’s still a long way to go.’
