Former Liverpool and England centre-back Jamie Carragher is adamant that summer signing Lisandro Martinez cannot play in a back four for Manchester United in the Premier League.
Martinez, who joined United from Dutch heavyweights Ajax last month, has experienced a difficult start to life in England, starting each of the Reds' opening two matches. He was taken off at half-time during Saturday's 4-0 demolition by Brentford after being targeted as a weak link in United's rearguard.
The 24-year-old, who stands at just 5ft 9in, was bullied and battered by Brentford's attackers, with manager Thomas Frank later admitting that the Bees targeted him as a weak link in United's team. He struggled to deal with what Brentford threw at him and was substituted at half-time.
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His size has been a concern for United fans ever since he joined the club, with his height making him the smallest centre-back in the Premier League. Carragher believes continuing to deploy Martinez at centre-back will leave United asking for trouble.
The former Liverpool man does believe, however, United could get away with playing him at centre-back in a back-three. Alternatively, he believes he could also operate at left-back - a position he is familiar with.
"The problem [Ten Hag] has got straight away is the signing of Lisandro Martinez at the back," Carragher told Sky Sports. "We should never judge managers or players too early, but I'm convinced this can't work because he's the size of 5'9 playing in a back four.
"Maybe he could go to left-back, maybe he could play in a back-three, but in a back four he cannot play there in the Premier League. Every single team that play Manchester United should target him.
"If they don't, they're crackers. I think [United] have got a huge problem."
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