{"id":201966,"date":"2025-06-21T07:32:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T07:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/201966\/"},"modified":"2025-06-21T07:32:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T07:32:09","slug":"the-manchester-united-xi-emiliano-martinez-faced-on-his-premier-league-debut-11-years-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/201966\/","title":{"rendered":"The Manchester United XI Emiliano Martinez faced on his Premier League debut 11 years ago"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who made his Premier League debut against the Red Devils 11 years ago. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Nowadays, Emiliano Martinez<\/a> is renowned as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There was a time when he was overlooked by Arsenal and that didn\u2019t seem to be the case or even likely.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Martinez has won the World Cup with Argentina and he now stars in Unai Emery\u2019s Aston Villa side, which competed in the Champions League<\/a> last season.<\/p>\n

The rumours are heating up regarding Martinez\u2019s future, with United understood to be monitoring his situation at Villa Park.<\/p>\n

That raises questions about the future of Andre Onana<\/a> at Old Trafford<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Cameroon international has struggled to perform in his first two seasons at United, while Altay Bayindir could be on the move in search of regular game time.<\/p>\n

AS Monaco are understood to be interested in Onana<\/a> as well as other goalkeepers.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Edwin van der Sar has urged United to support Onana<\/a> and back him into the new season.<\/p>\n

\"WaynePhoto by Michael Regan\/Getty ImagesMan Utd XI for Emiliano Martinez\u2019s Premier League debut<\/p>\n

After coming through the youth ranks at Independiente and Arsenal, Martinez made his Premier League debut against United.<\/p>\n

Martinez enjoyed loan spells at Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Wolves, Getafe and Reading before securing a permanent switch to Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

It was at Villa where Martinez established himself as one of the Premier League\u2019s best goalkeepers. Martinez now finds himself linked with a move to United<\/a>, the very team he made his Premier League debut against 11 years ago.<\/p>\n

United won the match 2-1 thanks to an own goal from Kieran Gibbs and a strike from Wayne Rooney<\/a>. The Gunners pulled one back in the fifth minute of stoppage time through Olivier Giroud, but it wasn\u2019t enough to force a comeback.<\/p>\n

On the 12th matchday of the 2014\/15 season, Louis van Gaal<\/a> named the following XI to face Arsenal, who had Martinez as a debutant between the posts: De Gea; Blackett, McNair, Smalling; Carrick, Fellaini, Valencia, Shaw; Rooney, Di Maria; Van Persie.<\/p>\n

Arsene Wenger named the following line-up: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Monreal, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsay, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez; Welbeck.<\/p>\n

Little did Martinez know that 11 years later he would be linked with a move to United at the age of 33.<\/p>\n

Martinez tasked with Edin van der Sar feat<\/p>\n

If Martinez joins United this summer, he will be tasked with doing what Van der Sar achieved during his time at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

Van der Sar joined United from Fulham at the age of 34 and went on to prove age is only a number by becoming one of the club\u2019s best ever goalkeepers.<\/p>\n

\n

[Stats comparison]
Emiliano Mart\u00ednez vs EPL elite goalkeepers:
\u2013 High claims (1st)
\u2013 Saves (8th)
\u2013 Successful runs out (7th)
\u2013 Accurate long balls (5th \u2013 42,44%)
\u2013 Acurate passes (3rd \u2013 77%)
\u2013 Clean sheet (6th)
\u2013 Pen saved (2nd \u2013 50%) pic.twitter.com\/uJLCFXubTC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Allen United (@allenmufc129) June 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

That will be Martinez\u2019s job if he signs for the Red Devils this summer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n