Emiliano Martinez was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United this time last year. Now he’s on the verge of playing in a Europa League final with Aston Villa.
Manchester United made changes to their goalkeeper department at the start of the 2025/26 season. Andre Onana was stripped of his responsibilities as the first-choice goalkeeper, and Senne Lammens joined from Royal Antwerp.
United fans using TalkingPoints voted Lammens as their favourite signing of the summer, which proves how much of an impact he’s had between the posts.
Lammens wasn’t the only keeper on United’s radar last summer, though. Ruben Amorim wanted to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.
Senne Lammens has been voted SIGNING OF THE SEASON by fans on TalkingPoints – Send your message to the goalkeeper here…
Emiliano Martinez happy with Aston Villa stay, but Man Utd have Senne Lammens now
Martinez wasn’t expected to be around with Villa this season – but it’s proven a good call as the Argentina international prepares for the 2026 Europa League final.
United were among the clubs linked with Martinez, but he is now one game away from being crowned a European champion as Villa face Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday night.
Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League four times, has a chance to deliver Villa’s first trophy in 30 years.
Ahead of the game, Martinez spoke about how close he came to leaving Villa last year. He stressed that he has no regrets and feels it was the right decision.
“Sometimes football can change, managers can come in and go,” Martinez told reporters ahead of the Europa League final.
“People move around the place, but it doesn’t mean that I (don’t) have full respect and love for the club.
“I had a commitment with Aston Villa. I’m a World Cup winner with Aston Villa. I won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club.
However, the only reason Martinez remained at Villa is that United never made an official offer to sign him.
“One day I am going to retire and somebody else will be between the sticks. I’m in a European final, we are in Champions League again, with all the ups and downs.
“We’ve got a top coach, we’ve got a top captain, we have a decent core of the team and when we stick together and fight together, we can beat anybody.
“I’m really proud to stay. I made the right choice.”
It would be naive to think Martinez would’ve rejected an offer to United last summer.
Moreover, United would echo Martinez’s verdict on the failed transfer because they wouldn’t swap Lammens for the experienced stopper.
Lammens is going to the World Cup after being selected in the Belgium squad.
Do you agree with Edwin van der Sar over his Lammens praise?
He was excellent against Everton, but is he the long-term goalkeeper for United?
Dwight Yorke helped deliver success at Aston Villa
Villa last won a major trophy in 1996, winning the Decko League Cup (now the Carabao Cup) after beating Leeds 3-0 in the final at Wembley.
Former United striker Dwight Yorke scored on the day to help his Villa teammates deliver silverware.
Yorke joined United in August 1998 before winning the Treble.
The former Trinidad and Tobago international left to sign for Blackburn Rovers in 2002.
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