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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been warned that he has missed out on a 'chance of a lifetime' by a Premier League legend after his failed Manchester United transfer. Martinez was closely linked with a move to Old Trafford during the summer window but the club eventually signed young Belgian custodian Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead, leaving the Argentina international to continue at Villa.

Martinez failed to secure Old Trafford move

After even bidding an emotional goodbye to Villa's fans, Martinez failed to secure an Old Trafford switch as the Red Devils opted to sign Lammens on deadline day instead. Many believed that the World Cup-winning goalkeeper would be a perfect fit at United as the club were desperately looking to replace out-of-form Andre Onana.

During the window, it was even claimed that a loan move for Jadon Sancho, taking him to Villa Park, would clear the way for Martinez to head north from the West Midlands, but Amorim eventually settled for £18 million-rated ($24m) Lammens.

AdvertisementMartinez told he missed out on 'chance of a lifetime'

Former Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa stopper Shay Given has delivered his verdict on Martinez' failed transfer to United as he told : "It felt very close in the window just gone past, with him not playing. I think Villa played in a live game on deadline day, and he wasn’t in the squad. Everyone thought he was off, maybe to Manchester United, but that didn't happen. Then he came back as number one again to Villa. He’s playing again, he’s their top man. I don’t know if the ship has sailed for a move next summer. Manchester United? Probably, not that Senne Lammens has arrived and done really well. Maybe it was a chance in a lifetime for Emi, and it’s been missed now. 

"Unless Emi Martinez is thinking of heading to another country. But he's had a phenomenal time, hasn't he, for club and country. He won the World Cup, I mean, that's just incredible. That save at the end of the World Cup final and they go up the other end, that's stuff of dreams, isn't it? He's an absolute hero in Argentina, and he's got a real personality. Maybe with his age, teams will be looking at younger options instead from next year, but he's still a brilliant goalkeeper, in my opinion."

Man Utd urged to rekindle transfer interest

Former United chief scout Mick Brown has urged his ex-employers to reignite their interest in the experienced Argentine goalkeeper, as he told . "They wanted him, he wanted the move, but at the end of the day they couldn’t come to an agreement with Villa so the deal collapsed. They’ve gone and got Lammens now, but Amorim has been saying he still wants a goalkeeper, so the recruitment team will be looking at their options. 

"I have no doubt Martinez is still one of those, because he’s a top-class goalkeeper and one who would immediately solve the issues they’ve had recently. He’s strong, imposing, a top shot-stopper and a character in the dressing room which it feels like they’re sorely lacking at Man United at the moment. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see them go back in for him, especially with the manager still demanding a goalkeeper, whether that’s in January or next summer."

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Getty Images SportHow is it going for Lammens?

Since his move to England, Lammens has appeared in five Premier League games thus far, during which he has conceded seven times. He played an important role in Amorim's side winning three back-to-back matches in October against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton and has also been compared to legendary Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.

Lammens, though, has rejected any such comparisons as he told BBC Sport: "I don't listen to it too much during the game but I saw it afterwards. I'm not Schmeichel in disguise. I am just Senne Lammens trying to help the team. It is an amazing compliment to get but you have to be realistic. He is one of the best goalkeepers ever. I have to prove a lot more to be in the same conversation as him."

The Yankees have had a tumultuous start following the trade deadline where they reworked their bullpen and acquired Ryan McMahon to help address their need at third base.

On Friday, new Yankees relievers gave up nine runs in three innings which led to a devastating 13–12 loss to the Marlins on a dribbler that brought in the walk-off run. Then, on Saturday, they were shutout by the Marlins 2–0 where they saw unfortunate mistakes on the base paths.

Major League Baseball held the Speedway Classic Saturday which pitted the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves in the middle of the track at Bristol Motor Speedway. The first-ever MLB game in the state of Tennessee started in a rain delay which allowed the Fox broadcast crew plenty of time to discuss the happenings across the league as they waited out the weather. As part of the broadcast crew, Yankees legend and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter didn't hold back on the team's recent struggles.

"They make way too many mistakes. Way too many mistakes," Jeter said Saturday. "And you can't get away with making that number of mistakes against great teams, it just doesn't happen. They had a baserunning mistake today, we saw the guy get thrown out at home plate.

"You can't continue to do it. You have to clean it up. I mean, it's that simple, there's no excuses. You have to play better. If you don't play better, you're not going to go very far."

Unfortunately for the Yankees, their AL East rival Red Sox won Saturday which moved them ahead of New York in the division standings by half of a game and into the AL's top wild-card spot. With many new deadline additions, it will take some time. After winning the final three games of their four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays during the week, the Yankees dropped the first two in Miami. They have a chance to avoid the sweep in a Sunday matinée at LoanDepot Park.

As Manchester United midfielder Casemiro strolled off the field on Saturday evening on the 70-minute mark, there was a customary embrace from a delighted Ruben Amorim. The veteran Brazilian had done his job.

It said a lot of the 33-year-old’s renewed importance to the Red Devils that his withdrawal was then followed by something of a late collapse from his side across the remaining 20 minutes or so, with the hosts looking all at sea against the Seagulls in the closing stages.

Thankfully, a thumping finish from Bryan Mbeumo at the death helped to secure a third successive victory for the Old Trafford outfit, with Amorim left to reflect on what was largely another positive display from his resurgent side.

Key to that newfound success has been the quiet emergence of a strong spine in the United starting lineup, with Matthijs de Ligt now a firm fixture ahead of new man Senne Lammens in the sticks, while the likes of Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha are beginning to flourish at the top end of the pitch.

Holding it all together in the centre of the park, however, is talismanic skipper Bruno Fernandes, and the aforementioned Casemiro, with the latter man’s remarkable revival showing no signs of ending.

How Casemiro came back from the brink

For all the talk of Carlos Baleba and the need for a new midfielder over the summer, it was Casemiro and co who no doubt won the midfield battle last weekend, with the ex-Real Madrid icon popping up with a goal and an assist amid United’s first-half onslaught.

There was a sense that this was the £350k-per-week star back to his 2022/23 best, having memorably told his agent – prior to joining the club – that he would “fix it”, after witnessing the early-season dissection from Brentford.

The £70m outlay remains a contentious point, but it’s hard to argue with his impact in that debut campaign, with United’s Carabao Cup final scorer described as the “cement” in the side by a beaming Erik ten Hag that season.

Just over a year later, however, the infamous “leave the football, before the football leaves you” line from Jamie Carragher, amid a dismal display at Crystal Palace, was followed by his absence from the FA Cup final squad. The end looked nigh.

Even at the start of 2024/25, the five-time Champions League winner appeared to be tumbling even further, notably hooked at the break after making two notable errors in September 2024, at home to eventual champions Liverpool.

As Amorim has since stated, there was a time in his tenure that Casemiro was “even behind Toby [Collyer]” in the midfield pecking order, although he quietly emerged as a key figure in last season’s Europa League run.

Of course, who can forget his two assists for Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire at the death against Lyon, having cleverly won a penalty minutes earlier. Big players produce big moments.

Such momentum has continued this term, with United’s elder statesman scoring against Chelsea and now Brighton, while returning to training early from international break ahead of starting at Anfield.

A starter in seven league games this season, the midfield warrior is a key cog in Amorim’s machine again, having successfully made Carragher and co eat their words.

Considering his age, and his current contract status, however, his long-term future in Manchester is up for debate. Just who can replace him?

How Man Utd can replace Casemiro

Just a matter of months ago, the thought of extending Casemiro’s contract would have been unthinkable, with his current deal set to expire in June 2026.

While his status as the club’s highest earner still ensures an exit appears inevitable, keeping him around on reduced wages may be an option to consider, not least with Amorim hardly blessed with midfield depth.

Regardless of what does happen come next summer, a suitable long-term successor needs to be found, with recent reports suggesting that the likes of Jobe Bellingham could be targeted heading into 2026.

Back at Old Trafford, Amorim does already have another defensive-minded presence in the form of Manuel Ugarte, although might it be Mainoo who is the perfect Casemiro replacement in waiting?

Indeed, for all the talk of the Brazilian being a deep-lying, holding midfielder in Madrid, it is actually his attacking quality that has shone in recent years.

Be it his last-gasp header at Stamford Bridge, his Wembley opener in February 2023, or his stunner under Ruud van Nistelrooy against Leicester City, the one-time Porto man regularly delivers the goods in the final third.

In Mainoo then – a player lauded as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United writer Alex Turk – Amorim should seemingly have a worthy successor, rather than attempting to mould the 20-year-old into Fernandes’ replacement instead.

Like Casemiro, the promising Englishman might not be the most mobile, but it is easy to imagine him taking on the role that his senior colleague had against Brighton, knitting things together nicely on the edge of the box, even when operating in a midfield two.

Of course, Mainoo’s own cameo left a lot to be desired, but that could be an impact of his limited involvement this term, having yet to start a league game in 2025/26.

Non-penalty goals

0.00

0.10

Assists

0.00

0.03

Shot-creating actions

1.85

2.23

Pass completion

86.5%

87.4%

Progressive passes

3.54

3.99

Progressive carries

1.20

1.45

Successful take-ons

1.25

1.12

Tackles

2.51

2.67

Interceptions

1.04

1.56

Aerial duels won

1.04

1.32

When fit and firing, his quality was evident during his breakthrough 2023/24 season under Ten Hag, having been described as the Dutchman’s “best player” amid his stunning emergence.

Like Casemiro, Mainoo has shown his quality around the opposition penalty area, be it his dramatic winner at Molineux, or his curling efforts against both Liverpool and Lyon.

He may not cover the ground in the manner of Ugarte, but he has that silky quality in possession that belies his years, notably ranking in the top 12% of European midfielders for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

It’s not as if he doesn’t possess a defensive instinct too, memorably clearing the ball off the line on his first Premier League start against Everton, while currently ranking in the top 23% for tackles made per 90.

Much like Casemiro too, a stunning start in the United first-team has since been followed by a real crash back down to earth, with his limited role under Amorim even sparking talk of a January exit in this vital World Cup year.

It is far too soon to write him off just yet, however, and having seen 2025 prove to be the year of Casemiro’s creditable comeback, why can’t 2026 be the same for Mainoo?

Casemiro replacement: Man Utd prepare to make offer for £60m "duel monster"

Manchester United are preparing to make a move to sign a star who could replace Casemiro in midfield.

ByDan Emery Oct 27, 2025