Emi Martinez left in limbo after deadline day as Man Utd transfer decision backfires

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been left embarrassed after Manchester United decided not to proceed with signing the Argentina international - despite him expressing his desire to join the Red Devils to his club. Martinez missed Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and has been heavily linked with a departure in this transfer window, particularly following the arrival of new goalkeeper Marco Bizot.

The World Cup winner has only made one appearance this season, in a 1-0 defeat against Brentford, having been suspended for Villa's first match of the season against Newcastle. Bizot donned the No.1 jersey against Palace. With Martinez out of favour at Villa, he reportedly told club executives that he was eager to secure a move to Old Trafford.

Martinez wants to ensure he plays every week to give himself the best chance of remaining Argentina's first-choice keeper at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

United have also been considering a move for Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp after he emerged as one of Europe's most promising young keepers.

And it seems Lammens is the goalkeeper United have chosen after they agreed a deal worth around £18m to sign the 23-year-old.

Lammens is set to ink a five-year contract at Old Trafford and is travelling to Manchester to finalise the move, leaving Martinez disappointed after being overlooked.

United explored alternative goalkeeping targets, including Martinez, but concluded that Lammens represented the optimal choice and most suitable long-term solution for the club.

He will compete for the number one spot following high-profile mistakes from both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir this campaign.

For Martinez, he appears destined to remain on the bench for at least the opening part of the season - unless he can engineer a last-gasp deadline day departure elsewhere.

The 32 year old has featured in 213 matches for Villa since his switch from Arsenal in 2020, but Emery insists the player is "not focused" and the uncertainty is hampering the squad.

"We need players who are focused, 100 per cent. He wasn't. It's not helping us. It's one of the circumstances that we are having now not helping.

"Tomorrow the window finishes and we are expecting something to improve our squad. Keep calm. One of the circumstances is Emi Martinez, we will see tomorrow and then we try get the balance and work after the break."