Jamie Carragher has revealed he is yet to be fully convinced that Lisandro Martinez is a long-term option for Manchester United as a central defender.
The Red Devils spent more than £50million to sign Martinez from Ajax during the summer window and he instantly went into the starting line-up at Old Trafford. But his Premier League career got off to an inauspicious start as United lost to Brighton on the opening day, before being thrashed by Brentford 4-0.
Following the defeat in west London, Martinez came in for heated criticism with question marks over his long-term viability as a centre-back. Carragher and Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville both suggested that at 5ft9, the Argentine was too small to thrive playing centrally in a back four.
"Maybe on the left in a back three – that could potentially work," Neville said. "Maybe playing in midfield, because we know he can do that.”
However, since those early shockers, Martinez has warmed to the task, helping United to win four league games on the spin and showing signs of a formidable partnership with Raphael Varane.
That duo will have their sternest test to date this weekend with Manchester City, and in particular, Erling Haaland lining up on the opposite side. And Carragher had some words of wisdom for the United defender and how he could cope with Haaland.
“The best advice Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag can offer Lisandro Martínez about dealing with Erling Haaland is to keep away from him,” the Liverpool legend wrote in his Telegraph column.
“Some battles can be won by outmuscling or outplaying an opponent. Other players need out-thinking. Martínez must be at his smartest to get the better of his Manchester City rival this weekend.”
Carragher insists that if Martinez tries to make it a physical battle with the Norwegian forward, the limitations he still believes exist in his game will be exposed. “There is a lot to like about Martínez's first appearances in a United shirt. The fans have taken to him as a cult figure because he is a warrior and natural leader,” he added. “But, long-term, the reservations I had when first seeing Martínez remain.
“He looks a little too short to play centre-back in the Premier League. We saw when United struggled badly against Brentford – a game where Martínez was subbed at half-time – how difficult it is for him if sides hit long balls into the penalty area to a striker relishing such service like Ivan Toney.
"There is nothing you can do about a height disadvantage when forced into continuous aerial challenges.”
This week saw Martinez hit back at his critics and revealed he is happy to ignore them as he continues to find his feet with United. “I don’t care about criticism. I believe in myself and I trust my abilities,” he told tYc Sports.
“I always worked hard. That’s what will make me have the results I want. To be honest, it was a dream come true to play for a huge club like Manchester United, especially to play in the Premier League, which is one of the best leagues in the world. I am really happy.”
