Gabriel Martinelli insists Man Utd "never said they wanted him" during trials

Arsenal talent Gabriel Martinelli had four trials at Manchester United but never received an offer from the Red Devils.

The forward, 20, is one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League and has become a regular for the Gunners this season, making 22 appearances in all competitions.

Arsenal signed Martinelli from Brazilian outfit Ituano in July 2019, yet he could've signed for a different European giant had United recognised his ability.

Recalling his arrival in England with The Athletic, Martinelli revealed: "My agent said we need to take a decision.

"When he said Arsenal, I said, 'OK, you do not need to say anything else, we are going to London.'

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"My dad and I had watched the Premier League together, all the teams, like Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Leicester.

"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, where I played in the same age group as Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams, and 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 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.'"

Martinelli has received plenty of praise this season, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp telling reporters to "remember his name" and describing him as an "outstanding talent".

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta added: "He 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.

"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.

"Every time the ball is 50/50 he is going to chase it and he's going to use his body, his speed, his technical ability to get away from you.

"And you have to be careful, because he can attack you one v one, he can attack your back, he can make movements off the ball. He is a real threat in front of goal."

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, meanwhile, has labelled Martinelli's finishing as "frightening" and his pace as "rapid".

"But rapid with a brain," added the Englishman. "If he gets a little bit more physical. He's still a kid and he's rapid, and his finishing is frightening.

"I don't know many Brazilians, but you get the image from when you watch their national team. You get the ones who know they're good, but won't really run.

"You get the ones who know they're good and will run all day long. He just runs all day long. He will chase anything down."