Manchester United have one clear goal on transfer deadline day – sign a new goalkeeper.
Indeed, both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana have been shaky to start this season, and the Red Devils need a new number one,
Luckily, help could be on the way as Emi Martinez has been linked to United.
Wayne Rooney thinks Martinez could be a great signing, but there’s one player at Manchester United who may have mixed feelings about this situation.
Emiliano Martinez after saving a penalty against Lille.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Bruno Fernandes may have mixed feelings about Emiliano Martinez move
While Emi Martinez is a fantastic goalkeeper, Bruno Fernandes has something of a strained relationship with the Argentina number one.
Indeed, a few years ago, Fernandes and Martinez had something of a stand-off over a penalty as Martinez used some of his infamous distraction techniques to goad Fernandes into skying his penalty over the crossbar.
Martinez would go on to laugh about this situation in an interview with Ian Wright just a few months later.
We’ve already seen this season that Fernandes can be emotional when put off his stride in terms of his penalty routine – Chris Kavanagh felt his wrath earlier this month after the Fulham game.
Fernandes isn’t one to quickly drop his grudges, and he may not be too pleased to see Martinez potentially headed to Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes statement after penalty situation with Emi Martinez
Martinez clearly got in Fernandes’ head in this situation, and the midfielder actually released a statement after this situation.
“Nobody is more frustrated and disappointed than me for missing the penalty and the consequent defeat,” he wrote.
“I’ve always assumed my responsibilities and I’ve always embraced them under pressure in moments like this.
“Today, I failed. But I took a step forward and faced the challenge with the same ambition and responsibility as when, on the many other occasions, the ball ended up in the net.”
Fernandes clearly didn’t like what Martinez did on that day, but, then again, this is one of those situations where you’d love to have a teammate in that mould, but hate that sort of thing from your opponent.
Fernandes may have mixed feelings about this move, but if Martinez delivers for United, it won’t take long for the Portuguese star to become a huge fan of the Argentine.