Jamie Carragher speaks
Jamie Carragher has questioned whether Lisandro Martinez is good enough.
Jamie Carragher has doubled down on his criticism of Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez after Thursday night’s error-strewn Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham.
And Liverpool legend Carragher again cast doubt over the central defender’s ability in the air having initially thought he would thrive in Ruben Amorim’s three-man defence.
Instead Martinez, who is 5ft 6in, has looked unconvincing under the new head coach despite providing the assist for Amad Diallo’s last gasp winner away to Manchester City last Sunday.
“I didn't think he'd be able to play in a back four because he'd be too small. But he had a really good first season,” said Carragher after the Spurs defeat.
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“In some ways you think he's perfectly suited to a back three. He can step out with the left foot, got two bigger players alongside him. Even though he played a great ball through for the winner in the Manchester derby, I don't think he's looked as comfortable since Amorim came in when I thought this would be the making of him. He had a poor night tonight.”
Carragher had previously questioned whether Martinez would succeed at United following a £57m move from Ajax.
“I said this when Manchester United signed him, but I did worry about Lisandro Martinez for his height,” he said. “If I was a manager, I would never buy a defender that small and the reason being it's not just him, I like him as a player and he's got great spirit, he's brilliant on the ball, he's aggressive.
“But the way the game is now, because full backs are almost like wingers, there's not that many big players in your team, so your full backs aren't the biggest anymore.”
Antony is getting a clean slate under Ruben Amorim despite his confidence issues.
United host Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon with Amorim saying he needs to rebuild the confidence of Brazil winger Antony. The new boss also refused to rule out recalling Marcus Rashford after two games out of the squad in a week when the homegrown star suggested he is looking to leave the club.
“He needs more confidence,” insisted Amorim when asked about Antony. “If you remember the Antony that played in Ajax, he lacks a little bit of confidence to go one against one, but he will improve.
"He is working really hard and trying and playing more inside than outside, especially in this game. He just has to do that. To work really hard and I will help him to be a better player.”
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