Manchester United are reportedly set to launch a bid for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, and should he arrive at Old Trafford, captain Bruno Fernandes could be in for an awkward reunion
Emiliano Martinez #23 of Aston Villa looks on during the first half of an international friendly
Manchester United could be in for Emi Martinez before the transfer window closes
(Image: Getty)
Bruno Fernandes could be put in an awkward position should Manchester United recruit Aston Villa shot-stopper Emi Martinez, as the pair have a heated history.
The Red Devils seem to have set their sights on a new goalkeeper before the summer transfer window slams shut, in light of consistently poor performances from current first-team pair Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. United are continuing talks in a bid to sign Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens, but another name being linked with a move to Manchester is Villa's World Cup winner Martinez.
Martinez, reportedly on a staggering £200,000 per week at Villa Park, made it clear near the end of last year that he wanted a move, and United turned down the chance to recruit him earlier this summer due to his wage demands. But it now seems that before Monday's deadline, a fresh approach in the region of £40million could be on the club's agenda.
Should the 32-year-old become Ruben Amorim's new No. 1, club captain Fernandes and Martinez may need to hold some clear-the-air talks because the two have indirectly clashed in the past.
Back in 2021, Martinez, who had signed for the Villans the previous summer, caused a stir at Old Trafford with his antics during a Fernandes spot-kick. United were trailing 1-0 when they were awarded a penalty, and the Portugal star stepped up late, looking to snatch a dramatic point.
However, Fernandes' added-time effort went high and wide, much to the joy of all Villa players. Martinez, in particular, was ecstatic with the miss and rather bullishly turned around and danced in front of the home fans, taunting the Stretford End.
Emi Martinez speaks to the referee before Bruno Fernandes' penalty
The Argentine did all he could to put Fernandes off
Martinez also made an effort to put Fernandes off before he took his penalty, speaking to multiple United players. It was even suggested he gestured towards Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps asking why he was not the one who'd be taking the crucial spot kick.
Both Fernandes and Martinez continued to cross paths in the years to come, and in January 2022, a goalkeeping error saw the Portuguese get his own back.
Just six minutes into the clash at Villa Park, Fernandes unleashed a long-range free-kick effort that seemed routine for Martinez. Yet, the goalkeeper spilt the ball through his own legs, embarrassingly giving the visitors a lead.
Fernandes would add a second after the half before goals from Jacob Ramsey and Philippe Coutinho earned Villa a point, but both United's captain and Martinez's paths were not done crossing.
The following season, when Martinez's side returned to Old Trafford, it was yet another goalkeeping error that made headlines. In the 39th minute, a Marcus Rashford shot was weakly palmed into Fernandes' path by Martinez. The midfielder converted and would get the last laugh as United won the match 1-0.
Martinez bundling Fernandes' shot into the net
Fernandes left Martinez with egg on his face after the keeper bundled his shot into the net
Now, with Lammers still an option, Martinez and Fernandes could join forces. However, Amorim recently downplayed the need for a new keeper.
After United's opening 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, in which the game's only goal came from a corner that was flapped at by starting shot-stopper Bayindir, Amorim was asked about his goalkeepers and insisted he was happy.
"I'm happy with the three goalkeepers," said Amorim. "He [Bayindir] chooses to get the ball, but he's getting pushed. That is my feeling when I see the play." The manager was also questioned about Onana's absence, to which he stated: "I didn't drop Onana from the squad.
"It's not the case of dropping Ornana. It's not putting Andre Onana in just one week without seeing the game, without time, with training. Tom [Heaton] and Bayindir, during the preseason, they did a good job."