Manchester United’s summer transfer business dominated headlines after a hectic deadline day that saw Ruben Amorim make bold calls in shaping his squad.
The Portuguese boss has been ruthless in his approach, allowing certain senior names to move on while adding youthful depth in key positions.
United fans were eager to see if a new goalkeeper would arrive to challenge Andre Onana, especially after concerns over the workload facing the Cameroonian international.
The Red Devils eventually confirmed the arrival of Belgian stopper Senne Lammens, a surprise choice that showed the club is planning for the long term rather than seeking a short-term fix.
While United’s business appeared complete, it has now emerged that another keeper was left disappointed after a late bid to join Old Trafford collapsed.
Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez had hoped to secure a move to Manchester United on deadline day, with talks reaching an advanced stage.
However, United opted against pushing through a deal for the 33-year-old, instead settling on Lammens as the back-up option behind Onana.
The snub left Martinez’s future uncertain, with transfer windows in other countries still open, offering him a possible escape route from Villa Park.
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What makes the story even more intriguing is that Martinez’s 33rd birthday fell the day after deadline day, and Aston Villa took to social media to send him a message reading: “Happy birthday, Emi.”
The timing of the message, just hours after his dream switch to United fell apart, has sparked plenty of discussion among supporters.
Emiliano Martinez was left out of Villa’s squad in their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace after informing club chiefs of his desire to leave, having featured in a 1-0 loss to Brentford the previous month.
United’s decision not to move for Martinez may have been driven by Amorim’s preference for younger players who fit into his long-term project.
It also underlines the trust placed in Onana as the undisputed number one, with Lammens expected to serve as cover and develop under the current set-up.
For Martinez, however, the episode raises questions about his next steps, and whether another opportunity at a big club will present itself before his career winds down.
Happy birthday, Emi 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/R93QdLjOt0
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 2, 2025
