Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has admitted that he was wrong about Lisandro Martinez after he predicted that the Manchester United defender would struggle in the Premier League because of his height.
He made those comments whilst working for Sky Sports on Monday Night Football in the aftermath of Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat to Brentford back in August as he said that: “I am convinced that this cannot work because he is the size of a 5ft 9in, playing in a back four. Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League”.
🗣️ "I'm convinced this can't work!"
Jamie Carragher is convinced Lisandro Martínez can't play in a back four at Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/k3RmPhYQas
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022
However, six months on, it is safe to say that Martinez has proved his critics, including Carragher, wrong as the Argentine has been one of Man United’s best performers this season, with the defender putting in several standout performances for Erik ten Hag’s side, which has seen them climb up to third in the Premier League table, having sat in 20th place after back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Brentford at the start of the season.
Lisandro Martinez *loves* defending 👏#MUFC || #MUNCRY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2023
Martinez, who is 5ft 9in, has proved Carragher’s argument that he was too small to play in the Premier League wrong because alongside Raphael Varane at the heart of the United back four, the 25-year-old has more than held his own, and speaking on the Overlap, he admitted that his initial statement at the start of the season was wrong.
“I can admit when I’m wrong,” said the former Liverpool man, during the latest episode of The Overlap. “Lisandro Martínez has been brilliant. To be that small and play centre back, you obviously have to be a special player.
“He’s been a big part of Manchester United’s spirit. There was a game I saw a few weeks ago and he was a sub, and someone scored a late goal, and he was right involved in the celebrations.
“At the World Cup with Argentina, we saw him have that fight – with him and Casemiro coming in, they feel more powerful and strong. I didn’t think a centre-back of that size would cope. Someone of that size will get exposed in the air – that has to happen at some stage”.
🚨 Jamie Carragher admits he was wrong on his judgement of Lisandro Martinez.🇦🇷
🎥 YT: (The Overlap) https://t.co/7e9L2rISY1
— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBall_) February 9, 2023
After a difficult first Premier League away day, it is great to see that Martinez has shown exactly why ten Hag was desperate to bring the former Ajax defender with him to Manchester because not only is he a no-nonsense, streetwise defender but he is also good in the build up phrase as he is the one that helps starts up attacks from deep, thanks to his line-breaking passes into midfield and his ability to carry the ball, which was a key highlight of the goal that United scored during the 2-0 win over Palace last weekend.
