Jamie Carragher takes same Lisandro Martinez stance for the third time in 23 days

Lisandro Martinez has been one of Manchester United’s standout performers this season as the Argentine immediately became one of the first names on Erik ten Hag’s teamsheet.

Martinez followed Ten Hag to Old Trafford from Ajax and has added balance to the side, with previous regimes playing with two right-footed centre-backs.

He did, however, face heavy scrutiny after United lost their opening two games in the league and Jamie Carragher ruled out the possibility of Martinez succeeding at Old Trafford after 135 minutes of action.

Carragher went on to be named man-of-the-match in the following game against Liverpool but that didn’t stop the Sky Sports pundit from doubling down on his verdict.

Now, after Martinez was named United’s player-of-the-month for August and rapidly growing into a fan-favourite at Old Trafford, Carragher has taken the same stance for the third time – 23 days on from his first public criticism of Martinez.

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“No,” Carragher said on The Overlap, via the Daily Mail, when asked if he had changed his mind on Martinez. “I think he’s a good player. I wouldn’t want a centre-back who was 5ft 9” in my team. I would not.

“We’ll see We’ve had four games [of Martinez being in form]. You’re getting carried away. If Odegaard scores the opening goal then you’ll be saying he made a mistake. But for a defender to be 5ft 9” and play, never mind in the Premier League, at any level of football, he’s got to be a good player. Because that is not normal.

“His passing is very good, he looks aggressive. He looks like a leader. He’s not a bad player, but to play at that level of football at 5ft 9″ – I wouldn’t want to play alongside someone who was 5ft 9″ as a centre-back.”

SN’s verdict…
Carragher’s job is to rationally analyse football and you must ask the question if he might be out of his depth at this level. Martinez has already proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the league.

Carragher ruled out Martinez having any type of success in the position he has played for all of his senior career – that is outrageously irresponsible and disrespectful.

It won’t matter to Martinez – he’ll keep performing as he has most likely come face-to-face with doubters before.

More Stories Erik ten Hag Jamie Carragher Lisandro Martinez Manchester United Premier League

1 Comment

  1. How does an ex Liverpool defender who ran like he was going backwards and was basically a human snail on the pitch and when off it spat on opposing girl fan in a car after watching he’s pool being battered have any right to ever criticise anyone

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