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Emiliano Martinez's agent Gonzalo Goni has revealed that Erik ten Hag blocked a Manchester United move for his client last season. The Red Devils needed a new number one after David de Gea left as a free agent.
World Cup winner Emi Martinez emerged as a top option for the Red Devils. However, United ended up signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan and Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce.
Goni has now revealed that Ten Hag chose Onana over Martinez because he had worked with the Cameroonian before at Ajax. Speaking to ESPN Futbol 12, Goni said (via Sport Witness):
"Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach chose Onana because he already knew him."
Goni added:
"But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martinez."
Onana struggled at times during his first season at Old Trafford. While he showed moments of quality, Onana also made a few horrendous mistakes between the stick. The Cameroonian ended his first season with 13 clean sheets in 51 appearances across competitions, conceding 83 goals.
Martinez, meanwhile, was once again a key player for Aston Villa. The Argentine kept 15 clean sheets in 47 appearances across competitions, conceding 61 goals. Martinez is currently shining for his national team and saved La Albiceleste in the recent Copa America 2024 quarter-final penalty shootout against Ecuador.
Andre Onana recorded unwanted statistic in his first season at Manchester United
Andre Onana conceded a whopping 83 goals in his first season at Manchester United. While he made some poor errors, it's not all down to the goalkeeper himself. United as a unit, suffered from defensive frailty.
Onana faced over 200 shots over the course of the Premier League season. As a result, he became the first United keeper in history to face 200 shots in a single league season.
Onana, though, has also shown his character on a few occasions. Erik ten Hag clearly trusts in him and the player is an integral part of his system. Onana played all but one game during the 2023-24 season and is expected to keep his place in the first team next season.
