Lisandro Martinez divided opinion when he arrived in the Premier League, with the Manchester United man's height a bone of contention for many pundits.
At just 5'9", Martinez comes nowhere near the stature of giants such as Virgil van Dijk, and some doubted his ability to settle in such a physical league, given his stature.
One such pundit was Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher. After Manchester United's opening day defeat to Brighton, Carragher appeared on Monday Night Football and expressed his concern for Martinez in the Premier League, saying:
The other problem's he's got is the signing of Lisandro Martinez at the back. Now we should never judge managers, players, too early. But I'm convinced this can't work because the size of him, five foot nine playing in a back four. Maybe he could go left back, maybe he could play in a back three.
It was a bold call from Carragher after just one game for Martinez in the league, though he appeared to be on to something the following week when United conceded four before half-time at Brentford, with Martinez hooked for Raphael Varane at the break.
Since that disastrous opening, however, Martinez has become one of the team's best players, and played an important part in Argentina's World Cup win during the mid-season break. This week, Carragher responded to his early season comments, and admitted he may have gotten his call on the Argentinean wrong.
Jamie Carragher changes tune on Lisandro Martinez
The latest fan episode of The Overlap saw Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville discuss many topics related to Premier League football, and they even disagreed on the ongoing investigation of Manchester City's alleged financial misdoings.
Neville then went on to push Carragher on his early season comments on Lisandro Martinez, and Carragher admitted he may have jumped the gun with the former Ajax centre-back.
Martinez has built a solid defensive partnership with Raphael Varane, and has earned widespread plaudits for his performances in Erik Ten Hag's team.
🚨 Jamie Carragher admits he was wrong on his judgement of Lisandro Martinez.🇦🇷
🎥 YT: (The Overlap) pic.twitter.com/7e9L2rISY1— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBalI) February 9, 2023
Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher explained his early season comments, and admitted that he had put too much emphasis on the player's height:
I think he's been brilliant. To be that small and play centre-back, you've obviously got to be a special player, and a good player. Now, I didn't think someone of that size could cope in the Premier League, and he has coped. I think he's been brilliant.
What I said before about United's spirit - I think he's been a big part of it. There was a game I saw a few weeks ago where he was actually a sub, and someone scored a late goal. He was right involved [in the celebrations].
You obviously see him in the World Cup with Argentina. He's got that fight. I think him and Casemiro coming in, it feels more powerful, more strong. But I didn't think a centre-back that size would be able to cope.
Now, listen, I think he can still get exposed in the air - that has to happen at some stage. But every player's got weaknesses - the best players hide them or make sure they don't get exposed. I think he's a really good player and he has surprised me in the way he has coped - or, basically, how teams can't.
I can admit when I'm wrong!
It's an admirable climbdown from Carragher but, in fairness to the ex-Liverpool man, he was not the only one with doubts about Martinez early this season.
Martinez has become a fan favourite at Old Trafford, earning a standing ovation when he returned from the World Cup, during which he started two games on Argentina's run to the trophy.
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