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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Man Utd wanted to sign Martinez, agent says</li><li>Ten Hag chose Onana reunion instead of Argentine</li><li>Goalkeeper was the hero again at Copa America</li></ul>

Agent reveals Argentina Copa America penalty hero Emiliano Martinez came 'very close' to joining Man Utd from Aston Villa before Andre Onana transfer

United were in the market for a new goalkeeper after seeing David de Gea depart last summer. They opted to reunite Ten Hag with his <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/should-man-utd-give-up-andre-onana-disasterclass-sign-new-goalkeeper-january-transfer/blt7f1e2b21a1cb1db2" target="_blank">former Ajax charge Onana by buying the Cameroon shot-stopper from Inter</a>. However, agent Gonzalo Goni says many in the club wanted Martinez instead, and some came to regret the decision not to bring the Argentine to Old Trafford.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach opted for Onana, because he already knew him," Goni told <a href="https://www.espn.com.ar/futbol/copa-america/nota/_/id/13872505/dibu-martinez-mentalidad-ganadora-club-estuvo-por-ficharlo-futuro-gonzalo-goni-espn-f12" target="_blank">ESPN</a>. "But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martínez."

WHAT MARTINEZ'S AGENT SAID

Onana <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/andre-onana-criticism-bullets-ex-man-utd-stars-cameroonian-goalkeeper-harry-maguire-role-model/bltba996c4d186e86f7" target="_blank">was heavily criticised throughout his debut season at United</a> as they slumped to their worst-ever Premier League finish, while Martinez played a pivotal role in Villa finishing fourth and securing a place in next season's Champions League.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Martinez <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/revealed-emi-martinez-rousing-message-penalty-shootout-heroics-celebratory-dancing-argentina-copa-america-quarter-final-ecuador/bltb84d636ac145b747" target="_blank">was the hero for Argentina as they beat Ecuador in a penalty shootout</a> to seal a place in the Copa America semi-finals on Friday. He will hope to help fire his team to the final when they take on Canada in the final four. Afterwards, he will return to Villa with the aim of building on their excellent season, though his agent refused to rule out a summer transfer, saying: "Everything is never decided: we are having conversations, listening, watching and we will see... But perhaps he will put Aston Villa on a par with the greats of Europe."

WHAT NEXT FOR MARTINEZ?

Agent reveals Argentina Copa America penalty hero Emiliano Martinez came 'very close' to joining Man Utd from Aston Villa before Andre Onana transfer | Goal.com

Manchester United came close to signing Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa before Erik ten Hag opted to buy Andre Onana, the Argentine&apos;s agent says.

Agent reveals Argentina Copa America penalty hero Emiliano Martinez came &apos;very close&apos; to joining Man Utd from Aston Villa before Andre Onana transfer