December 20th 2024.
Jamie Carragher, a former professional footballer for Liverpool, has expressed his surprise at the recent performances of Lisandro Martinez. In a warning to Manchester United fans, Carragher stated that they should be concerned about the Argentine's form. This is coming from the same man who previously believed that Martinez's height would hinder his success in the Premier League, upon his transfer from Ajax two-and-a-half seasons ago.
Despite this initial skepticism, Martinez quickly became a cult hero among the United supporters, thanks to his combative displays on the field. Unfortunately, a string of unfortunate injuries has prevented him from making an even greater impact under his previous manager, Erik ten Hag. However, with the recent appointment of Ruben Amorim, who has implemented a 3-4-3 system, it seemed like Martinez would thrive in this new formation.
But Carragher believes that there are signs that the 26-year-old is struggling to adapt to the new system, as seen in his error-strewn display against Tottenham last night. While newcomer Leny Yoro also had a difficult evening, Carragher is more concerned about Martinez's weaknesses. As a former center-back himself, Carragher understands the unforgiving nature of the position, and he feels that Martinez's lack of experience could be a cause for concern for United fans.
Carragher elaborated on his concerns in an interview with Sky Sports, where he stated, "You know that. You look at young Yoro, he doesn't really follow in on the first goal. The overlap on the second goal, that's something he should read and should see." He further added, "I think a little bit of a worry for Manchester United fans is Martinez. I was critical of him when he first came because I didn't think he'd be able to play in a back four. I thought he'd be too small, but he had a really good first season."
Carragher also pointed out that while Martinez's skills may seem perfectly suited for a back three system, he has not been able to showcase his best performances since Amorim took over as the manager. Despite playing a crucial role in the Manchester derby, Carragher believes that Martinez has not looked as comfortable since the change in formation. "I thought this would be the making of him, this would really suit him. So that's a worry because he had a really poor night," Carragher expressed his concern.
In the end, Carragher's words serve as a warning for Manchester United fans, who may have been hoping for Martinez to excel in the new system. It remains to be seen if Martinez can prove Carragher wrong once again and establish himself as a key player for the team.
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