(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Fri 22 August 2025 19:30, UK

Man United look set to miss out on a deal to sign long-term target Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, according to their former chief scout.

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Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Ruben Amorim’s side have cooled their interest in the 32-year-old.

As a result, he is growing increasingly likely to stay at Villa Park beyond the end of the transfer window and remains part of Unai Emery’s plans.

Brown told Football Insider in June that United were prepared to open talks with Villa over Martinez after he emerged as their top goalkeeping target.

However, their plan had been to cash in on Andre Onana and reinvest the funds towards landing the Argentina international, but no offers for the former arrived.

Meanwhile, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Villa are hesitant to sell Martinez to United after rejecting their loan offer.

Emi Martinez dealt with an injury (Credit Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

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Brown told Football Insider on 18 August that Man United still plan to sign a goalkeeper with David de Gea emerging as a surprise option for the role.

The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and West Ham, insisted United are have made a “huge mistake” by not pushing for a deal.

“United seem to have missed out on Emi Martinez,” he told Football Insider.

“They made that offer to bring him in on loan, which was rejected, and since then things have gone quiet.

“I believe that interest has cooled from where it was at the start of the window.

“I think they’ve made a huge mistake with that one.

Ruben Amorim is still keen to strengthen his Man United squad.

(Credit: Imago)

“It’s looking more and more likely that he’ll be staying at Villa, which didn’t look possible at the end of last season when he seemed to be saying goodbye.

“The deal was there to be done, but they didn’t want to pay the money.

“They do still want to bring in a goalkeeper, though, so perhaps things could change but I think they’re looking at other options.”

Alongside ongoing speculation about potential incoming deals at United, the focus remains on trimming the squad of fringe players, including Rasmus Hojlund.

Brown told Football Insider on 18 August that Hojlund is edging closer to leaving United and is no longer a part of Amorim’s plans for the rest of the season.

Rasmus Hojlund has been linked with a move away from Man United.

(Credit: Imago)

The striker was left out of the squad for United’s 1-0 opening-day defeat to Arsenal in a clear indication that his time at United is coming to an end.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider in May that Man United want to sell Hojlund permanently in an attempt to raise funds for reinvestment in the squad.

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