Arsenal star Martinelli opens up on Man United snub as a teenager
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli opens up on being snubbed by Man United as a teenager following FOUR trials… as he says ‘there was never a moment when they said they wanted me’
- As a teenager, Gabriel Martinelli had four separate trials with Manchester United
- The Brazilian was closely monitored but he was never offered a United contract
- He later chose to join Arsenal and is thriving under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta
Gabriel Martinelli has revealed Manchester United never once offered him a deal, despite taking him on trial four times as a teenager.
Martinelli, 20, is now thriving at Arsenal but at the age of 13 he had caught the eye of Manchester United’s scouting department, leading to multiple trials.
Speaking to the Athletic, Martinelli has described how he was introduced to first team players such as Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney.
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has discussed having four trials with Manchester United
‘I actually had four different trials at United when I was 13, 14, 15 and 16,’ he explained.
‘This was in Manchester at the club’s training base. I met first-team players, like Zlatan (Ibrahimovic), Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra.
‘There was never a moment, though, when they said they wanted me (to sign) there. But it give me a taste and made the adaptation a little easier because I had experienced football in England. Even after those trials, I always believed in myself. My mind is always thinking, “I can do it.”‘
A picture has been shared around social media showing Martinelli alongside Brandon Williams, out on loan at Norwich, during his trial period at United.
Prior to signing for Arsenal in 2019, he had four trials at United and also went to Barcelona
After being snubbed by United, Martinelli also trained at Barcelona’s La Masia academy before eventually Arsenal made a move in 2019 for the then 18-year-old at Ituano, who joined for an undisclosed fee.
Arsenal’s head of international scouting Francis Cagigao is said to have flown out to Brazil to see Martinelli for himself in an Under-20 tournament called ‘Copinha’.
He joined while Unai Emery was in charge but has thrived since under the management of Mikel Arteta.
Martinelli, who has played 70 times for Arsenal, has 16 goals to his name and is building a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in the league.
Arsenal No 1 goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale labelled the Brazilian’s finishing as ‘frightening’ while Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has previously called on people to ‘remember the name’.
Martinelli is one of the Premier League’s most exciting stars but United never made a move
Back in December, Arteta heaped praise on his young Brazilian.
‘He (Martinelli) trains incredibly hard, he is always willing to do more and he is not scared or afraid to take risks – and that is what I like about him,’ Arteta said.
‘You cannot play every action at 100mph, it is impossible. It is not very efficient for you because you burn yourself out after a few minutes, and then you’re just chasing a situation and not reading exactly what is needed.
‘Gabi is doing much better at that. We have to try to do that without losing the passion, the energy and this capacity he has to just affect the game with the way he acts on the pitch.’
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