Manchester United "heavily pushed" for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez before opting to sign Andre Onana, it is claimed.
The Villans shot-stopper has excelled in between the sticks since joining from Arsenal in September 2020. Martinez has played a key role in Villa's rise under Unai Emery and in Argentina's World Cup triumph last year.
And according to journalist Miguel Delaney, Martinez was a player Man United were looking to sign, however, manager Erik ten Hag preferred to sign Onana from Inter Milan in the summer instead.
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"Emi Martinez was heavily pushed within United, as someone who was very ready to step up to an elite club after his exertions at the World Cup," Delaney wrote in his weekly newsletter.
"Even the Argentine’s abrasive on-pitch personality was admired by some at the club. Ten Hag long wanted Onana, though, and that was who they went with. The Dutch coach is adamant people will see the real difference once he has close to his first-choice team back."
Martinez recently won the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. The award is given to the best goalkeeper in the world.
