Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez challenged Cristiano Ronaldo: Mind game before last minute penalty

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Premier League club Aston Villa may have secured his team victory in the away game at Manchester United with a special kind of mind game. Unintentionally, the focus was also on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Villa led 1-0 at Old Trafford after a late goal from Kortney home (88th) when Manchester United were awarded a penalty in stoppage time.

And while the Portuguese Bruno Fernandes, the Red Devils’ regular penalty taker, was preparing the ball, Martinez came along and demanded loudly and with clear gestures that Ronaldo should take the penalty.

Bruno Fernandes chases the ball into the clouds

There was a brief argument before Ronaldo left. Fernandes shot – and chased the ball far over the box. Then Martinez posed provocatively in front of the United fan curve. After the game, Ronaldo let out his frustration on the corner flag on the way to the dressing room, while Fernandes left the pitch with his head bowed, but also supported by the cheering chants of the United fans.

ManUnited coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer protested Fernandes after the game and the first league defeat of the season. “Bruno was excellent and Cristiano is probably the one who has taken the most penalties in world football. We have great shooters,” said the Norwegian.