Football

EMI MARTINEZ is the kind of huge character Manchester United need to restore their battered reputation as a global superpower.And the good news for United boss Ruben Amorim is the world’s No 1 keeper would be up for the challenge — if Aston Villa decide to cash in this summer.Emi Martinez could leave Aston Villa this summerCredit: GettyAndre Onana has endured a difficult season at Man UtdCredit: GettyThat is  the word from Neil Cutler, Martinez’s old coach at Villa, who remains close pals with his former star pupil.Cutler, 48, said: “This summer is pivotal for Emi in terms of his career.“He’s been voted the best goalie in the world twice and there seems to be an opportunity for him this summer, with all of his options open.”Big clubs are queuing up to speak to him and he either stays at a massive club like Villa or he goes to a truly world-class club.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I don’t think it’s about money with Emi so I don’t think he is ready to move to Saudi yet.“If he does move it would be to a much bigger club — one of the really big-hitters like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico… or even Manchester United.”Martinez, 32, fuelled speculation when he broke down in tears and  took a bow in front of the Holte End after Villa’s final home game of the season.Some feared it was a farewell and since then he was  linked with a  lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKUnited, Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be keen.Martinez’s contract runs until 2029 but a bid of £40million or more would ease Villa’s PSR concerns.Emi Martinez in tears as he waves goodbye to fans after Aston Villa’s final home gameThe Villans have been linked with moves for Lille stopper Lucas Chevalier, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia and Nice’s Marcin Bulka.Cutler believes this could be one of the rare moments in football when a move could suit everyone.Amorim certainly needs a new keeper after Andre Onana looked weak at Tottenham’s Europa League final winner again and Martinez could be the inspirational figure he is searching for.”United can’t offer him Champions League football but the sheer size of the club and the size of the challenge might appeal to Emi,” said Cutler, now in charge of Wolves’ goalkeepers.”Emi has the confidence required to play for a massive club like United and would feel he could affect the club in a really positive way.”He would look at United and say: ‘Right, I can make this place better. I can help this club get back to where it was.”HE THRIVES ON THE BIGGEST OCCASIONS'”He’s all about the challenge, he’s all about the drive and the desire so I think United would suit him.”He thrives on the biggest occasions and could play for any team in the world as he’s shown by winning the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina.”He would be a comfortable fit at United and would hit the ground running.”It’s all down to what Villa want but, at 32, they will know this is when they can get the maximum return on him. If they hold off until next year they’d get less.”Unai needs a possession-based goalie and the keepers he’s been linked with are top class and younger.”It could be one of those times when it suits all parties.Read More on The Sun”I’m a big Villa fan so I’d love to see him stay – and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Emi lifting the Europa League trophy for Villa in 12 months time.”But I also want to see him play at the highest level possible and, if one of the really big hitters comes knocking, then he could have a huge decision to make.”Martinez, 32, has become renowned for his unusual anticsCredit: GettyThe Argentine is a fan favourite at Villa ParkCredit: Getty More

RUBEN AMORIM believes Bruno Fernandes wants to stay at Manchester United — despite a £100MILLION offer from Saudi Arabia.Fernandes’ agent, Miguel Pinho, held talks with Saudi side Al-Hilal at a Riyadh hotel on Thursday over a £700,000-a-week package for the United captain.Bruno Fernandes’ agent has held talks over a move to Al-HilalCredit: GettyRuben Amorim believes his captain will stayCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt would make him one of the world’s highest-paid players.But Red Devils boss Amorim has a “feeling” the Portuguese midfielder, 30, will stay at Old Trafford — and that the club can raise funds elsewhere despite failing to qualify for Europe.Fernandes played the first-half of United’s 3-1 post-season friendly win over Hong Kong.And when asked if it was the skipper’s final game for the club, Amorim said: “I don’t think so. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I don’t know for sure, nobody knows, but I don’t think so.“He is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think that is all that he wants to stay.“He’s saying ‘no’ to a lot of things, but it shows that he wants to win.”He’s really young, he’s really good. He needs to be in the best league in the world.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Europa League final loss to Spurs capped a disastrous season and threatens to damage Amorim’s rebuild, which includes a £62.5m deal for Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.United player of the year Fernandes admitted after the loss in Bilbao that the club could end up cashing in on him, with Al-Hilal pushing to sign the playmaker ahead of next month’s Club World Cup.Ruben Amorim breaks silence over futures of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro GarnachoAsked whether United could turn down such a fee, Amorim — who saw Chido Obi (twice) and Ayden Heaven score against Hong Kong — added: “Yes. We can find another way to earn money.“I’m the manager, I’m the coach but sometimes it’s the decision of the player.“I just have that feeling that he wants to stay.”Defender Harry Maguire, though, admits “a lot of players” will be shown the door after the club finished 15th in the Prem.He said: “We will make a lot of changes in the summer. There will be a lot of players who leave and hopefully a lot will come in.“And that’s down to the club to make sure they get that right and it’s down to us players to make sure we are the ones involved.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

THE reason why Liam Delap snubbed Manchester United in favour of Chelsea has reportedly been revealed.Delap, 22, is set to join the Blues and the deal could be announced as early as next week.Liam Delap has decided to join ChelseaCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel convinced Chelsea is the right moveCredit: GettyChelsea will trigger the £30million buy option in the Ipswich striker’s contract, which became available following their relegation from the Premier League.The fee and personal terms were not going to be an issue for Man Utd – but Delap has opted for a move to Stamford Bridge instead.Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that the player has chosen Chelsea due to their former boss Thomas Tuchel.He claims that the England manager told Delap that playing in the Champions League would boost his chances of making the Three Lions squad heading to next summer’s World Cup.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd those words appear to have helped him make up his mind.Everton were also in for Delap, but like the Red Devils, they could also not offer European football.Man Utd fans reacted: “Did Tuchel forget to tell him he needs to be actually playing in the Champions League not sitting on the bench.”Another added: “He made the wrong decision, if he performed as the main man in the United shirt he would definitely get the call up.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSA third wrote: “Politics in football because he has coached Chelsea before.”Delap scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games for Ipswich this season.BBC pundit names England’s long-term successor to Harry Kane after Premier League star’s ‘bullying’ performance He is set to battle the likes of Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke to be Harry Kane’s understudy at the World Cup.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in Brighton defender Pervis Estupinan, according to reports.Ruben Amorim is looking to overhaul his squad this summer after a woeful season that saw the Red Devils finish in their lowest ever position of 15th.Man Utd are keen on Pervis EstupinanCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim is planning a squad overhaulCredit: ReutersJournalist Ben Jacobs claims United have enquired about Estupinan as they look to bolster options at left-wing-back.The 27-year-old featured 30 times for Brighton this season, scoring once and assisting another.It is currently unclear whether the Seagulls are open to selling the Ecuadorian or what fee they may demand.Estupinan’s contract on the south coast does not expire until the summer of 2027.READ MORE ON MAN UTDBut some United fans are not happy about the rumours and claim they do not need a new left-wing-back.Patrick Dorgu was signed in January for £25million and teenager Diego Leon joins this summer from Cerro Porteno in Paraguay for a reported £7m.Meanwhile, the likes of Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and youngster Harry Amass have also filled in there.One supporter wrote: “Why are we even looking at left wing-backs. The last position we need signings for.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnother added: “We have Dorgu and Leon already. Concentrate on key positions which is striker, forwards, central midfield and a goalkeeper.”A third commented: “Definitely bigger priorities. Plenty of cover in that area, best keep the money for elsewhere.”Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho show middle finger to fans during Man Utd’s post-season tour in MalaysiaBut others disagreed, saying: “Would be a decent rotation option with Dorgu.”Though departures are currently the focus at Old Trafford as club chiefs are set for talks with Real Betis over Antony next week.And Bruno Fernandes is said to be “giving serious consideration” to a mega-money move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE risks a major falling out with Ruben Amorim should he sell Bruno Fernandes, according to reports.Manchester United captain Fernandes is being aggressively pursued by Saudi side Al-Hilal.Sir Jim Ratcliffe comforts Ruben Amorim after the Europa League finalCredit: AlamyBruno Fernandes has been in action on Man Utd’s post season tourCredit: GettyWith the Red Devils on a post-season tour of Asia, the midfielder’s agent has been in Riyadh meeting with Al-Hilal chiefs.The Saudi side are said to be willing to spend £100million on the 30-year-old, while offering him a three-year tax-free deal worth £200m.According to the Star, Ratcliffe is willing to cash in on Fernandes in order to ease cash-strapped United’s financial woes.Amorim, however, is determined to keep his skipper – and would be “seething” should his Portuguese compatriot be flogged.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFernandes, who is said to be seriously considering Al-Hilal’s offer, opened the door to an Old Trafford exit after United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.The midfielder said: “I have always been honest. I’ve always said I will be here until the club says to me that it’s time to go.”I’m eager to do more, to be able to bring the club the great days.”In the day that the club thinks that I’m too much or it’s time to part ways, football is like this, you never know it. But I’ve always said it and I keep my word in the same way.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAmorim has stressed that he wants to keep FernandesCredit: Getty”If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it’s what it is, and football sometimes is like this.”Asked about whether Fernandes will leave after picking him for today’s 3-1 victory over Hong Kong, boss Amorim claimed: “I don’t think so.Ruben Amorim bursts out laughing when asked about Man Utd star’s future”I don’t know for sure, nobody does. But I don’t think so.”I think he wants to stay. He is saying no to a lot of things but it shows that he wants to win.” More