Manchester United Eyeing Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez Yet Again Amid Struggles: Report

Last Updated:August 31, 2025, 13:00 IST

Manchester United scramble for a top goalkeeper before deadline, targeting Emiliano Martínez and Senne Lammens as André Onana, Altay Bayındır, and Tom Heaton fail to fire.

Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez (X)

Manchester United’s summer rebuild still has a glaring hole: a reliable No. 1 goalkeeper.

Despite weeks of groundwork, the club has yet to land a clear first-choice, and with less than two days left in the window, the search is hurtling toward deadline drama.

Manager Rúben Amorim currently has André Onana, Altay Bayındır, and 39-year-old Tom Heaton to choose from. None has convinced as the elite, mistake-free shot-stopper Amorim’s system demands.

Bayındır has started all three Premier League matches and erred in each, keeping pressure on the recruitment team.

Onana’s lone outing this season ended in a shock defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town, hardly the platform to reclaim the No. 1 shirt.

Heaton, vastly experienced, is seen as dependable depth rather than a long-term solution.

Two Deals on the Desk

With time evaporating, United are pursuing multiple tracks to ensure a new goalkeeper arrives before Monday evening.

One name has surged again: Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez.

Earlier in the summer, United cooled interest after balking at a package that included wages of around £200,000 per week. Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, United have made a fresh approach in the final days of the window, opening talks with the player’s camp and Villa.

But, why should United go for Martínez?

Proven pedigree: A World Cup winner and Golden Glove recipient, renowned for penalty prowess and big-match temperament.

Personality: Vocal organizer who could bring the command and “presence" United’s back line has lacked.

Immediate uplift: Unlike a development signing, Martínez would step straight in and set the tone.

Senne Lammens Still in Play

United also moved earlier for Royal Antwerp’s highly regarded 23-year-old Senne Lammens, outbidding several European rivals with a £20m proposal. The Belgian—touted by some as a future successor to Thibaut Courtois—remains a live option and, per the plan, was expected to be signed before the deadline.

If the Lammens deal stalls or collapses, United want to be instantly positioned to pivot to Martínez. The aim is to avoid another window closing without a first-team-ready answer.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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First Published:

August 31, 2025, 13:00 IST

News sports Manchester United Eyeing Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez Yet Again Amid Struggles: Report

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