Peter Schmeichel and Emiliano Martinez, split image
Peter Schmeichel and Emiliano Martinez, split image
Emiliano Martinez was linked with a deadline day transfer to Manchester United, before it fell through.
Manchester United’s search for a goalkeeper led the club back towards Emiliano Martinez, a player linked earlier in the window.
A deal looked possible after Aston Villa omitted Martinez from their matchday squad against Crystal Palace, but in the end United had other plans.
United made the move to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, with the deal for Martinez collapsing.
Lammens is an exciting talent, but Martinez was a known quantity who would have had no problem adjusting to the Premier League. United’s decision will have split opinion.
Emiliano Martinez in action for Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Peter Schmeichel full of admiration for Emiliano Martinez
Manchester United goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel has previously given his thoughts on Emiliano Martinez, and they were very positive.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast previously, he referred to Martinez’s decision to leave Arsenal earlier in his career.
“Martinez, I think he has proven Arsenal wrong, for sure. I think he’s a big personality and I think he’s helping that team [Villa] a lot.”
Schmeichel also spoke on television during the 2022 World Cup, talking up the key strengths in Martinez’s game.
He explained: “I like the way you said he’s an old-fashioned goalkeeper in modern-day football. I like that he comes for crosses. Not many goalkeepers are coming for crosses. Coming for crosses is one of the most difficult parts of goalkeeping.
“Then I look at the one-v-ones. He’s very good at that. His catching the ball. He’s very good at catching the ball.
“But where I think he is very, very good is his distribution… That’s a proper weapon.”
United need to fix weaknesses
Manchester United have struggled defending set pieces, with both Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana making errors costing goals already this season.
Martinez’s more commanding presence and bravery to claim crosses would have been exactly what United require.
And as the great Dane points out, Martinez’s ‘big personality’ combined with his Premier League experience could make him uniquely prepared for the huge challenge of being a Manchester United goalkeeper.
Senne Lammens is a top prospect, who has to work on his distribution, but is particularly accomplished when it comes to claiming crosses.
We can only hope United have made the right call…