Manchester United Legend Makes Fresh Call to Replace Onana with Emi Martinez

Manchester United Legend Makes Fresh Call to Replace Onana with Emi Martinez

Festus Chuma 11:45 - 06.06.2025

Manchester United legend urges the club to replace Andre Onana amid growing transfer speculation and interest in a top goalkeeper.

Cameroon and Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is facing mounting pressure over his future at Old Trafford, as former Red Devils stopper Ben Foster declared the club must move on and sign a new No 1 this summer.

Onana, signed in a £47million deal from Inter Milan in 2023, struggled in his debut Premier League season, registering just nine clean sheets and conceding 44 goals across 34 league appearances.

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His performances have drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike, and with Manchester United finishing a dismal 15th in the table, changes between the posts are now being seriously considered.

“It’s a brutal league, the Premier League,” Foster told talkSPORT in a scathing assessment of Onana’s contribution.

“And I kind of think [over] the last two seasons that he hasn't done enough to prove that he is a Manchester United No 1.”

Foster Calls for Ruthless Change

Andre Onana

Ben Foster, who spent five years at Manchester United and later enjoyed a long Premier League career, believes that the club cannot afford another season with uncertainty in goal.

Citing the importance of a strong defensive spine, he urged United to pounce on any opportunity to land Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

“I think he's got ability and like so many other Man United players, he'd go elsewhere and probably flourish,” Foster added as quoted by Daily Mail.

“I think that's probably going to be the case with him as well.”

“If the opportunity does come to sign somebody like an Emi Martinez, they’ve got to go for it. He’s still one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”

United Reignite Interest in Martinez

According to reports from Argentine outlet TyC Sports, United had previously made contact with Aston Villa over Martinez in January but chose to stick with Onana.

However, the door appears open once again as Villa, who need to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, may be forced to sell one of their top earners.

Martinez, 32, gave an emotional farewell to fans at Villa Park after their final home game of the season and remains non-committal about his future amid international duty with Argentina.

Asked about what lies ahead, he replied: “I don’t know, I come here to play for the national team, and that’s the only thing that matters to me right now. Do I want to move to a new club? The transfer window just opened, so there’s still a long way to go.”

Old Trafford Set for Summer Shake-Up

With United reportedly ready to offload Onana if a suitable offer arrives and back-up Altay Bayindir also failing to convince, the club may be eyeing a complete overhaul in goalkeeping personnel.

“You’ve got to have a strong spine in any football team,” Foster continued.

“If you get the goalie right, you get a couple of strikers in, Bruno’s going to be staying now. It’s a great start to the transfer window for them.”

Onana's fate could now rest on United’s ability to secure a top-class replacement—one Foster believes is already available in the form of the fiery and experienced World Cup winner from Villa Park.