Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was named by Jamie Carragher as the biggest surprise of this Premier League season, and further went on to apologise to the defender. Earlier this season, Carragher had criticised United manager Erik ten Hag for choosing to start the Argentine international at the centre of his defense.
The Sky Sports analyst had advised United to remove his £55 million acquisition off the firing line. Lisandro Martinez’s short height was the main cause of concern for Carragher. The five-foot-nine-inch Argentina international is the smallest centre-back in the league, but Martinez has surprised his detractors this season by excelling as a crucial player for United.
Carragher heaps praise on Lisandro Martinez naming him ‘Surprise of the Season’
Lisandro Martinez’s first season in England has been an incredible one for him after he followed Erik ten Hag from Ajax to Old Trafford last summer. After losing back-to-back games at home to Brighton and then suffering a four-goal humiliation at Brentford, United had the worst possible start to the season and there were growing concerns about the team.
But Martinez has undoubtedly turned things around and has played a crucial role in United making the top four, winning the Carabao Cup, and making it to the FA Cup final. Lisandro Martinez also contributed to his country’s, Argentina’s victory at the World Cup in December, forcing his critics to change their minds about him.
Carragher and Gary Neville on Monday night when presenting their end-of-season awards in the Sky Sports studio, caused come controversy. The former Liverpool defender chose Lisandro Martinez as the “Surprise of the Season” and apologised for his prior remarks. He said:
“The other problem he (United boss Ten Hag) has got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez. 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.
“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. 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!”
Forming a formidable partnership alongside Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez flourished at the heart of the United defense. He played a significant role in the club’s resurrection under Erik ten Hag despite his current injury which ended his season. However, the Argentine will be looking forward to build upon his great debut season in England next campaign.