Man United have reportedly agreed personal terms with the World Cup winner and approached Aston Villa to get a deal done. Martinez was completely left out of Villa's squad for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday evening.placeholder image
Man United have reportedly agreed personal terms with the World Cup winner and approached Aston Villa to get a deal done. Martinez was completely left out of Villa's squad for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday evening. | Getty Images
Man Utd knew that they needed a new goalkeeper in the summer but is Senne Lammens the last no.1 to arrive at Old Trafford?
The big Belgian did well on his Old Trafford bow, and yet there is still a sense that Ruben Amorim is uncommitted in terms of who is his preferred choice between the sticks. The 23-year old is the man in possession of the starting jersey, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Red Devils boss restored Altay Bayindir as the first name on the team sheet.
No successful team chops and changes their goalkeeper which makes it the sort of position that needs to be nailed down.
Man Utd haven’t confirmed Senne Lammens as first choice
According to transfer journalist Dean Jones, talking to Teamtalk, United have also yet to rule out signing another goalkeeper despite Lammens early promise: “Lammens is not the guaranteed first-choice goalkeeper for the long run – but he has given himself a chance of being No.1 for the next game.
“And that’s all he can hope for and focus on right now. United seem adamant they are not going to commit to a first-choice stopper, because they want a genuine battle for the shirt on a week-to-week basis.
“It felt like the decision to give Lammens his chance was overdue, and he did well this weekend, so I personally think he has given himself the edge when it comes to starting against Liverpool after the international break. But there is no way I would say he’s now going to establish himself as the first choice because I do believe (Altay) Bayindir will still get games, and I also think United are still on the lookout for another goalkeeper.”
Utd could still make Emiliano Martinez move
If United are looking for someone experienced, the obvious solution is a player who seemed certain to move to Old Trafford in the summer having waited by the phone for Jason Wilcox to phone.
Jones though, reckons that Martinez isn’t a foregone conclusion: “I think the player would have to think very carefully this time around about such a move progressing because he came very close to burning bridges at Villa last time, but had worked his way back in.
“He obviously had his head turned over the summer and I’m sure his camp are very aware that United still plan to bring in another goalkeeper. But they will want further competition in the position, but not someone who blocks Lammens.
“So, the level they sign someone at is not easy to target. You are asking someone with a good level of experience to come in and be a leader and perhaps even a mentor, but also be in a battle to try to be No.1 too. I cannot say for sure that Martinez is the main person they will focus on in this sense, but there is a chance they go for him and it would be a big decision if so.”
What is clear, is that Martinez is almost desperate to join United having previously agreed personal terms and after risking the wrath of Unai Emery and the Villa support. Despite the lack of European football, the lure of Old Trafford and the opportunity to have ‘Manchester United’ on a player’s CV still has a strong emotional pull, a pull that the recruitment team should use to aim for a higher standard of target.
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