What will happen now after Emiliano Martinez didn’t get his move to Manchester United.
Emiliano Martinez stole many of the headlines on transfer deadline day but the Aston Villa goalkeeper was ironically never the subject of an official bid at the end of the window.
The World Cup winner was pushing for a move to Old Trafford as early as June and July, when he spoke to United head coach Ruben Amorim on several occasions. Martinez also asked international teammate and United defender Lisandro Martinez to put in a good word.
All the efforts turned out to be in vain, however, as a brief phone call at the start of pre-season enquiring over a potential loan deal was the only proper proposal put forward by United. There wasn’t even any concrete indication that the Red Devils were going to make a bid ahead of Villa’s recent 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace, either.
Unai Emery left Martinez out of the matchday squad for Sunday’s heavy defeat as he didn’t believe the goalkeeper was in the right headspace. “He was not available. We need the players focused and 100 per cent. He was not,” Emery admitted during his post-match press conference.
What now for Emi Martinez?
With the major European windows now closed and Martinez not keen on a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, where the markets are still open, the goalkeeper’s future is now clear. Martinez will remain at Villa Park until at least January, when transfer speculation will no doubt be rife once again.
Birmingham World understands there are still no proposals on the table for Martinez to leave and the Argentinian is expected to be reintegrated back into the squad in due course. Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed similar, reporting that Villa are happy to continue with Martinez this season and that no exit is expected to go through.
It’s a great shame that Martinez has acted the way he has, as he had the opportunity to become a Villa legend. The two-time Yashin Trophy recipient was so highly thought of by all associated with the football club but pushing for a transfer away - to a club with no European football, no less - has severely tainted things.
Will Villa fans forgive Martinez?
The first game back for Martinez will be a difficult one. It’ll be fully at Emery’s discretion whether that return comes against Everton away after the international break or if it’s a little later. As an understandably frosty reception can be expected from Villa fans, Martinez will presumably be thankful that Villa’s next three fixtures in all competitions are away from home.
There’s no doubting that Martinez will have a lot of grafting to do to get back in the good books of Villa fans. In truth, it’s unlikely he ever fully will. Time will tell, but the damage could be irreparable.
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