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Sir Jim Ratcliffe should avoid the Joao Neves mistake and lead Man Utd to drop transfer target

Originally posted on HITC | By Jonny Maze | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 4:37 PM ET

Manchester United risk repeating a familiar mistake this summer in the transfer market.

Ineos are beginning to make multiple moves towards incomings and outgoings at Manchester United.

However, despite all being arguable improvements on the current options, United risk buying an unwanted player and funding said club’s swoop for a better player.

This has happened far too often for United, going back to 2022 when United signed Casemiro for £70m, which effectively funded Real Madrid’s signing of Aurelien Tchouameni.

In 2023, United did a similar move by paying £55m for Mason Mount before Chelsea went and signed Cole Palmer for cheaper.

Last summer, arguably the worst of all, United missed out on Joao Neves and funded PSG’s move to sign him by taking Manuel Ugarte for £42m.

Now, Ineos are at risk of repeating this error again with Emiliano Martinez.

Manchester United must avoid Emiliano Martinez deal

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Over the past few days, the hunt for a goalkeeper appears to have accelerated at Old Trafford, despite United planning to keep Andre Onana as things stand.

This has resulted in United being heavily linked with Martinez from Aston Villa, with the Argentine seeking a move and keen on the Red Devils.

Now, Villa have been considering options to replace Martinez, and it is a move that is far better for their long-term project.

According to ESPN, Villa have made contact with Lille over a move to sign Lucas Chevalier.

The 23-year-old is considered a potential replacement for Martinez and has shot to prominence over the past season in France.

Chevalier is valued at around £40m, a fee similar to Martinez’s asking price. He is on PSG’s list, if they cannot extend the contract of United-linked Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Manchester United should pivot to Lucas Chevalier

Villa will be delighted that 32-year-old Martinez has suitors prepared to pay such a high fee, so instead, United would be much better served pivoting to Chevalier.

This would be a masterstroke from Ineos, with the Lille talent having the potential to become world-class.

Chevalier remains an option for United, as Ben Jacobs has explained this week, so it seems a no-brainer that Ineos make that deal happen, instead of Martinez, which goes against everything Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants the club to do in the market.

If United do this, it will show they have learned from the mistakes of the past, but by signing Martinez, there will be some serious doubts raised over those making the decisions.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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