Ruben Amorim celebrates after Manchester United score against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League | Carl Recine/Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Ruben Amorim celebrates after Manchester United score against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League | Carl Recine/Getty Images | Getty Images
One of Man United’s long-term transfer targets could be available to sign in January for a cut-price.
One player who has been a big part of Amorim’s recent success is goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whom the Red Devils signed for £18m in the summer. Many see it as their best piece of business this year, as they were desperate for a reliable stopper after poor stretches of form from Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir beforehand.
However, United weren’t always targeting Lammens, as they had their eye on Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez for a long period of time. The World Cup winner looked destined to leave Villa Park in the summer, but he ended up staying, so United went after Lammens instead.
Aston Villa ‘will accept bids’ for Martinez in January
If, for whatever reason, Man United weren’t happy with Lammens, or more so, they wanted a more experienced goalkeeper, they could get the chance to finally go after Martinez, as reports are saying that Aston Villa will be open to selling him in January.
According to Football Insider, Villa ‘will accept bids’ for Martinez during the January transfer window, so if United wanted to go after him, it would seem a fairly straightforward deal to complete. The report says that Villa are eyeing up a move for Man City keeper James Trafford to replace Martinez.
The 33-year-old’s levels certainly haven’t dropped this season, as he’s helped Unai Emery’s side to a positive start to the season this year. He’s made 11 appearances in all competitions, conceding nine goals, and keeping four clean sheets. In comparison, Lammens has made nine appearances in all competitions, conceding 11 goals, and keeping one clean sheet.
Do Man United need Martinez?
The biggest question arising around the whole Martinez reports, is whether United actually need to sign him now that they have Lammens in goal. Former Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would certainly disagree.
Ferguson recently hailed Lammens’ performances for the Red Devils, which is something that isn’t new, as United fans were heard chanting to Lammens: ‘Are you Schmeichel in disguise’ in his first match at Old Trafford.
The former United boss said to RTV via talkSPORT: “Particularly the goalkeeper has been outstanding, he's only played three or four games and he's looking really good.”
Lammens has been collecting balls that are crossed into the box, making routine saves look routine, and also making some difficult saves too. But, the most important thing that he’s been able to do, is consistently not make mistakes, and if you don’t make lot’s of mistakes as a keeper, then that is a recipe for success, something United haven’t had for years.
The last time Man United had a reliable keeper was David de Gea, and he was signed by none other than...Alex Ferguson. It all shows good signs for Lammens, so it’s worth asking again, do Man United need to sign Martinez?
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