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 former Ajax charge Onana by buying the Cameroon shot-stopper from Inter. 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.

"Last year he was very close to Manchester United, the coach opted for Onana, because he already knew him," Goni told ESPN. "But everyone at Manchester United later maintained that the ideal goalkeeper to win was Emiliano Martínez."

Onana was heavily criticised throughout his debut season at United 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.

Martinez was the hero for Argentina as they beat Ecuador in a penalty shootout 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."