The transfer window drama is reaching fever pitch as Manchester United, after a turbulent campaign last season, are making headlines yet again. The Red Devils, who finished a disappointing 15th in the Premier League, have already splashed out around £200 million to overhaul their attack. But with the clock ticking down and the new season underway, the focus has shifted to the goalkeeping position—a saga that’s quickly become one of the most talked-about stories in English football.
Manchester United’s search for a new number one has taken a dramatic turn. According to multiple reports, the club is now leaning towards signing Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, nicknamed ‘Dibu’, rather than Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens. This shift comes after weeks of speculation and back-and-forth negotiations involving both keepers, as United look to address a glaring weakness that plagued them throughout the previous campaign.
The Red Devils’ current first-choice goalkeeper, Andre Onana, has come under intense scrutiny. After a series of high-profile mistakes, Onana found himself benched for the opening three Premier League fixtures of the 2025-26 season. Instead, manager Ruben Amorim opted to start Altay Bayindir, signaling a real shake-up between the posts. Onana’s woes didn’t end there; he was given a chance to redeem himself in the League Cup against Grimsby Town, but two costly errors led to goals and United’s eventual exit on penalties at the hands of the League Two side. That defeat only intensified calls for a change in goal, with fans and pundits alike questioning whether Onana has what it takes to be United’s long-term solution.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano broke the news on Sunday morning that Manchester United had made a fresh approach to Aston Villa for Martinez. He posted, “EXCL: Manchester United make new approach with Aston Villa for Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez. Talks remain ongoing for Senne Lammens while Man United want to be ready if deal collapses with less than 48h to go… and new approach for Dibu took place with Villa + his camp.”
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri added more fuel to the fire, stating, “Manchester United now leaning towards Dibu Martinez! MUFC gone quiet since last night about Senne Lammens and it’s working to get Dibu deal done. On the other hand, Diogo Costa from FC Porto’s in advanced talks with Aston Villa FC in order to replace him.” This suggests that the dominoes are ready to fall, with Villa also preparing for Martinez’s potential departure by lining up Diogo Costa as his replacement.
The urgency in United’s pursuit is palpable. With less than 48 hours remaining in the transfer window, the club’s hierarchy knows they must act decisively. The decision to prioritize Martinez over Lammens is telling. Martinez, a proven performer in the Premier League and on the international stage with Argentina, brings a level of experience and composure that United desperately need. Lammens, while talented, is still unproven at the very top level, and the club’s sudden silence on his pursuit indicates a clear shift in strategy.
It’s not just the fans who are eager for a resolution. The pressure is mounting on manager Ruben Amorim, who, despite receiving significant backing from new owners INEOS and being given attacking reinforcements like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, still faces questions about the team’s balance and defensive reliability. The Red Devils were the fifth lowest scoring team last season, but their defensive lapses—particularly in goal—have arguably been even more damaging.
Yet not everyone believes a new goalkeeper is the answer. Former Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar, who knows a thing or two about guarding the net at Old Trafford, recently weighed in on the situation. Speaking to talkSPORT, van der Sar remarked, “I’ve known him already for a long time. He spent four or five years at Ajax. I trained with him and saw him coming. He has great strengths. He’s athletic. He has good reaction saves. Good with his feet and everything. I’m sure he’s going to get over it. Sometimes it’s not easy. Sometimes your performances or the pressure there is. But I’ve seen him play for Ajax, for Inter, Champions League finals. I’m sure he’s going to be fine for next season. I think there are more areas where United should see if you can have a better player, a different player. But I don’t think the goalkeeping situation needs to be addressed now.”
When pressed on whether it’s unfair to blame Onana for United’s struggles, van der Sar added, “If you make a mistake or drop one through your legs or it’s a wrong ball that you put out from the back, then you can blame the goalkeeper. He’s not been consistent in his performances this year. But with the qualities that he has, he should be able to play for Man United for next season.”
Despite van der Sar’s vote of confidence, the mood among supporters is less forgiving. The memory of last season’s 15th-place finish still stings, and the club’s massive investment in attacking talent has only heightened expectations. Many feel that without a reliable presence in goal, United’s resurgence under Amorim could be undermined before it even gets going.
Meanwhile, the transfer carousel continues to spin. If Martinez does make the switch to Old Trafford, all eyes will be on how quickly he can adapt and whether he can provide the stability United so desperately crave. On the flip side, Aston Villa’s pursuit of Diogo Costa signals their intent to remain competitive, even if they lose one of their star performers.
The next 48 hours promise to be decisive. Will United finally land their man in Martinez, or could a last-minute twist see them return to Lammens or stick with their current options? One thing’s for sure: the stakes have rarely been higher, and the outcome could shape the Red Devils’ fortunes for the entire season ahead.
For now, the Manchester United faithful wait with bated breath, hoping that the club’s bold moves in the transfer market will signal the dawn of a new, more successful era at Old Trafford. The story is far from over—stay tuned for what could be a dramatic conclusion to this summer’s transfer window.
