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Jamie Carragher has finally admitted that he made a mistake regarding Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez.
The former Liverpool defender had ruled out a summer signing from United after just two games, saying he was too small to be a centre-back in the Premier League.
He suggested that Erik ten Hag should test Martinez at left-back or midfield, so he won’t be intimidated by the big, scary English forwards.
Unfortunately, many at the time shared that view, pointing out that very few first-class center halves have stood at 5’9”, particularly in England.
But speaking on Gary Neville’s podcast The Overlap, Carragher backed away from those notions.
“I think it’s been brilliant,” he said. “To be so small and play center back, obviously you have to be a special player and a good player.
“I didn’t think someone of that size could manage in the Premier League and he has. It’s been brilliant. What I said before about the spirit of United, he’s been a big part of that.
“There was a game I watched a few weeks ago, he was a substitute and someone scored a late goal, and he was well involved. He saw it in the World Cup, Argentine, he has that fight.
“Him and Casemiro coming in, he feels more powerful. I think he could still get exposed in the air at some point, but every player has weaknesses, the best players make sure they don’t get exposed or hide them. I think he is a very good player.
It has surprised me. I have no problem; I can admit when I’m wrong!”
Carragher will not be the only person to have retracted his initial assessment of the Argentine, as Lisandro Martínez was angered by his excellent performances in a United shirt.
He has forged an excellent duo with Raphael Varane and, when he was projected by the imperious Casemiro, United had one of the best defenses in European football, keeping fifteen clean sheets.
Manchester United will hope that, in the Brazilian’s absence, Martínez and Varane can keep a clean sheet against Leeds on Sunday, after having faltered in the last two matches for the Red Devils by conceding goals against the Whites on Wednesday and against Crystal. Palace in the previous match. .
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