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Manchester United were widely expected to explore several options in the Premier League during a recent period of uncertainty within their squad planning.
At one stage, former United boss Ruben Amorim had reportedly considered bringing in a new addition from within the English top flight, with several players being monitored closely.
However, United ultimately opted for a different solution.
The club instead moved to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, reshaping their plans and ending speculation surrounding several other potential targets.
One of the players previously linked with that possible move was Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentina international, who played a key role in his country’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, had been among the names reportedly considered as United assessed options within the Premier League.
Attention has now turned away from transfer speculation.
According to The Athletic, Martinez appears to be breaching Football Association rules relating to the promotion of betting companies.
A press release from Argentine betting platform ‘bplay’ previously introduced Martinez as a brand ambassador, referencing a commercial campaign featuring the Villa player.
Another promotional campaign launched in October 2025 reportedly featured Martinez alongside his brother Alejandro with the pair wearing each other’s sporting kits.
The company described the campaign as representing how sport can unite people who follow different professional paths.
Under FA regulations, professional footballers in England are prohibited from personally promoting or endorsing betting activity that they themselves are not permitted to engage in.
FA rules state that an individual participant must not advertise or promote betting activity connected to competitions they are involved in or able to influence.
That could present complications given the platform reportedly offers betting markets on competitions including the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League – all tournaments Aston Villa have competed in this season.
It is reported that the FA is aware of the situation.
Neither Aston Villa, Martinez’s representatives nor the betting company have publicly commented on the matter so far.
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