Carragher makes U-turn on ‘brilliant’ Man Utd star after claiming he ‘can’t work’ in Premier League

Jamie Carragher has flipped his opinion on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez after a string of consistent performances at Old Trafford.

The Argentine defender has proven to be an excellent signing as he has been one of the best defenders in the league so far.

Carragher was one of many pundits to call into question the height of the Man United defender at the start of the season.

The Sky Sports pundit previously claimed: “What I would say about him, because of his size, is that is a problem for him. No matter what anyone says, being 5ft 9in is a problem.”

Martinez has silenced the critics this season though as he has been one of the most consistent performers for Man United this season.

Carragher told The Overlap: “I think he’s been brilliant. To be that small and play at centre-back, you’ve obviously got to be a special player, a good player.

“I didn’t think someone of that size could cope in the Premier League, and he has coped. I think he’s been brilliant. I think he’s been a big part of [United’s spirit].

“I think it was a game I saw a few weeks ago when he was actually a sub, and someone scored a late goal, and he was right involved. This was only two or three weeks ago.

“And obviously, we saw him in the World Cup, Argentinian. He’s got that fight. I think him and Casemino coming in… it feels more powerful, stronger. But I didn’t think a centre-back that size would be able to cope.”

Erik ten Hag knew Martinez well from his time at Ajax and he will have been confident in his ability to be able to adapt to the Premier League.

At the start of the season, Carragher predicted that fellow Premier League sides would target Martinez with more aerial duels.

He previously told Sky Sports: “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.”

Martinez has won a total of 27 aerial duels in the Premier League this season, which is only bettered by Casemiro at Man United.

The 25-year-old looks to be a popular figure in the Old Trafford dressing room and he will have a huge role to play in the second half of the season.