Manchester United endured a turbulent 2024/25 season marked by inconsistency, particularly between the posts. Despite being brought in to replace David de Gea, André Onana has yet to live up to expectations. His tenure has been marred by high-profile errors, many of which directly impacted results. This ongoing instability has undermined United’s defence and contributed to their erratic form.
Now, with Ruben Amorim tasked with ushering in a new era at Old Trafford, the club is evaluating critical positions and goalkeeper is high on the list. According to former chief scout Mick Brown, speaking to Football Insider, the name gaining traction behind the scenes is Emiliano Martínez. The Aston Villa and Argentina number one, known for his commanding presence, leadership, and big-game mentality, is reportedly Amorim’s primary choice should the club move to reinforce the goalkeeping department.
At 32, Martínez offers both experience and proven quality. For a club in need of calm and clarity at the back, his arrival could provide the stability that has long been missing. With the transfer window heating up, United’s interest in the World Cup winner signals a possible shift in approach, one that favours reliability over potential in a position where mistakes are costly.
Emiliano Martinez in Aston Villa green, with a Manchester United red shadow, signaling a potential goalkeeper switch.
Martínez, now represented by super-agent Jorge Mendes, could find a smoother path to Old Trafford thanks to this high-profile connection. Mendes’ strong ties with Manchester United’s hierarchy could facilitate negotiations, should the club decide to formalize their interest. However, any potential move hinges on one key factor: the future of André Onana.
According to Mick Brown, there are currently no concrete offers for the Cameroonian goalkeeper. Still, his position at the club remains uncertain. United are open to parting ways with Onana if the right proposal arrives, which would free up both budget and space for a new number one. Until then, Martínez remains a target under consideration rather than a confirmed replacement.
“Emi Martinez is going to be available from Aston Villa. He’s going to be among the top targets for Ruben Amorim if he decides he wants to strengthen in goal. He recently changed agents, he’s with Jorge Mendes now who has very strong connections at United. The problem at the moment is that none of that matters unless they get an offer for Onana. He’s admitted he isn’t sure about his future at the club, and I think they would be happy to move him on, but it depends if there is any interest. There are no offers on the table at the moment, so it’s all just a possibility. But he’s a player they want, so if they can move Onana on, he’s the one they’ll go for.”
Now, is it truly worth it for Manchester United to bet on Emiliano Martínez? The answer is layered. On one hand, Martínez brings a wealth of experience in the Premier League, a World Cup winner’s mentality, and a commanding presence between the posts. His leadership, vocal nature, and ability to organize the backline could inject the kind of steel and structure United’s defence has been missing.
For a manager like Ruben Amorim, who seeks discipline and cohesion in his defensive units, Martínez’s profile appears to be a much better fit. His game is built on composure and decisive shot-stopping rather than high-risk distribution, which contrasts with Onana’s more erratic style. Onana’s high-profile blunders, particularly in pressure-cooker moments, have cost United dearly, not just goals, but also confidence at the back.
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At 32, Martínez is not past his prime, especially for a goalkeeper, but he’s also not a long-term solution. Signing him now would likely provide a two-to-three-year window at best. The danger lies in potentially repeating the same cycle: spending big on a short-term fix, only to need another replacement soon after. It raises the question, are United solving the problem or just postponing it?
Moreover, hinging the move on the sale of André Onana is a risky strategy. As of now, there are no concrete offers for the Cameroonian, and his erratic form hasn’t exactly boosted his market value. Should the market stay silent, United would find themselves caught in a bind, with an underperforming goalkeeper and no financial leeway to act decisively. It’s a precarious position, especially in a summer where smarter planning is essential. It’s also telling that the club reportedly explored the idea of bringing in Marc-André ter Stegen. That shows a clear intent to upgrade the position, but also a lack of clarity about who the ideal candidate really is.