Jamie Carragher has told Lisandro Martinez to stay away from Erling Haaland as much as possible in the Manchester derby this weekend.
Manchester United make the short trip to the Etihad on the back of four consecutive Premier League victories, including impressive wins over Liverpool and table-toppers Arsenal.
They now face their biggest test of the season, against Manchester City who are yet to taste defeat. Haaland has played a significant role in that, with 11 goals in his first seven league matches for Pep Guardiola’s side.
After a shaky start to the campaign, Martinez’s form has picked up in recent weeks alongside Raphael Varane in the centre of defence, but he has been warned that attempting to match Haaland for physicality in the derby will not bring success.
“The best advice Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag can offer Lisandro Martinez about dealing with Erling Haaland is to keep away from him,” Carragher told the Telegraph.
“Some battles can be won by outmuscling or outplaying an opponent. Other players need out-thinking. Martinez must be at his smartest to get the better of his Manchester City rival this weekend.
“You cannot completely keep away from your direct opponent, of course, but with experience comes the knowledge that you need to pick your battles and identify the right areas in which to duel.”
Much of the discussion on Martinez’s early-season performances centred on his height, with the 5ft 9in centre-back having a particularly torrid time against Ivan Toney in the defeat to Brentford.
Despite the improvement during United’s winning run, Carragher believes Martinez’s stature is still a significant problem and one that Haaland is well-placed to capitalise on at the Etihad.
“He looks a little too short to play centre-back in the Premier League,” Martinez said.
“We saw when United struggled badly against Brentford – a game where Martinez 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.
“Haaland may have been kept quiet by Martinez in Ajax’s Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund last season, but the Norwegian is currently the best striker in the world. He can hurt a side in many ways, but he has the profile of an old-fashioned No 9.”
