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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Manchester United 'make shock loan approach' for Aston Villa star Emi Martinez after injury blow

Manchester United have turned to Emi Martinez as they attempt to solve their goalkeeper problems.

Andre Onana has failed to impress in the two years he has spent at Old Trafford since arriving from Ajax, leading to speculation over his future.

The need for United to act in the transfer market has been strengthened further by Onana suffering a hamstring injury in training earlier this month.

That has ruled the 29-year-old out of United’s pre-season tour of the United States, with Altay Bayindir set for a run of games for Ruben Amorim’s side.

The Daily Mail report that Onana is also expected to miss the start of the Premier League season and United have identified Martinez as a key target.

It’s claimed that internal discussions were held over the weekend about signing Martinez on loan, though it is viewed as extremely unlikely that Aston Villa would allow that.

Martinez is valued at £40million by Villa and has a contract running until 2029, so the club are in a strong position should there be offers.

The 32-year-old Argentine will also miss the start of the campaign, after he was sent off against United on the final day of last season as Villa missed out on Champions League qualification.

Reports in Belgium, meanwhile, suggest that Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens is on United’s shortlist too. The Belgian side said to be willing to sell for around £15m.

United have turned their attention to a goalkeeper signing after completing a move for Bryan Mbeumo.

The 25-year-old was officially unveiled on Monday, signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford to seal a £71m switch from Brentford.

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