Carragher admits that Martinez 'has been BRILLIANT' for United
Jamie Carragher finally admits he was WRONG about Man United’s ‘brilliant’ – Lisandro Martinez after calling him a ‘problem’ due to his 5ft 9in frame… as Liverpool legend labels Argentina defender as a ‘special player’
- Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Man United defender Lisandro Martinez
- There had been question marks over the Argentinian at the start of the season
- But the Liverpool legend suggests that the World Cup winner is a ‘special player’
Jamie Carragher has admitted that Man United defender Lisandro Martinez has been ‘brilliant’ for the Red Devils this season, despite initially having concerns.
Martinez, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup winning squad in December, has become an integral part of Erik ten Hag’s defence at Old Trafford this season.
There had been concerns that the defender’s physique – namely his 5ft 9in frame – would prove costly in the Premier League but Carragher reveled that Martinez has ‘surprised’ him this year.
Speaking on the Overlap Fan Debate, the Liverpool legend said: ‘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.
Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been integral to their success this year
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher admitted that the defender has ‘surprised’ him this season
https://youtube.com/watch?v=s3I83hMhR7w%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
‘At the World Cup with Argentina, we saw him have that fight – with him and Casemiro coming in, they feel more powerful and strong. Someone of that size will get exposed in the air – that has to happen at some stage.
‘Every player has weaknesses; the best players hide them or make sure they don’t get exposed. He’s a really good player and he’s surprised me the way he’s coped.’
The 25-year-old centre-back has played every single minute of United’s previous six games and has helped them concede just six goals during that period.
The Red Devils’ back-line had been a serious issue for United prior to ten Hag’s summer arrival but the Dutch boss, along with Martinez, has helped solidify them.
It didn’t seem as though that was going to be the case as, after Martinez’s United debut in August, Carragher ripped into the Argentinian international.
Speaking on Sky Sports, at the time, Carragher said: ‘The other problem he’s [ten Hag] got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez.
‘Now, we should never judge managers or players too early, but I’m convinced this can’t work because the size of him 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.’
Martinez has made 31 appearances in all competitions and has become a regular starter
Since that day, Martinez has gone on to make 30 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions and has helped guide them to third in the league table.
The 25-year-old also played a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup winning run and starred in four out of their six games in Qatar.
Despite impressive performances for both club and country, the defender was omitted from Argentina’s starting line-up for the final against France and failed to make a substitute appearance.
Carragher ripped into Martinez for his performance against Brentford at the start of the year
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