Jamie Carragher issued an apology over his doubts on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez – naming him as his biggest surprise of the Premier League season.
Carragher slammed United boss Erik ten Hag 's decision to play the Argentine international at the heart of his defence earlier this season. The Sky Sports pundit had urged United to take his £55million signing out of the firing line.
Carragher’s concerns over Martinez were focused on his lack of height. Standing at five-foot nine-inches, the Argentina international is the division's shortest centre-back, but Martinez has confounded the critics with his performances this season as a key player for United.
Early on in the season it did not feel that way, as United lost back-to-back matches at home to Brighton and then a four-goal humiliation at Brentford as their season got off to the worst possible start, with doubts circulating on the team.
"The other problem he (United boss Ten Hag) has got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez," the Anfield icon began on Monday Night Football.
"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."
Have Your Say! Where does Martinez rank in Man Utd’s success stories this season? Tell us what you think here.
Yet Martinez thrived in the heart of the defence, primarily alongside Raphael Varane. Despite his current injury, he was instrumental in the club’s EFL Cup win and their run to the FA Cup final, alongside how they are on course for a top four finish in the Premier League.
Carragher issued an apology on Sky for his prediction on Monday night, stating: “That was not about Lisandro Martinez, but any central defender in the Premier League who is under six foot tall. But he has not.
“Any player is going to have weaknesses, whether its physically or technically and the best players hide their weaknesses. Everyone has them.
“I was not the tallest player and I was always worried that I was going to get ‘found out’ or sort of bullied in the air. At times you lose big challenges and goals, while he is three or four inches smaller than me.”
Carragher added: “We have spoken about the significance of Casemiro being absent from United’s team but the same is true of Martinez. Not just defensively, but also his ability on the ball and playing out from the back.
“He is a warrior and a leader. He and Casemiro are the two new signings who have transformed Man United. So apologies to Lisandro Martinez and Man United fans, you can stop tweeting me now about it!”
