Arsenal star Martinelli: I had FOUR trial periods with Man Utd

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·23 February 2022

Arsenal star Martinelli: I had FOUR trial periods with Man Utd

Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli has revealed he had FOUR trial periods with Manchester United before signing for the Gunners.

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.

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He told the Athletic: "I actually had four different trials at United when I was 13, 14, 15 and 16.

"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'."