20 June 2023 , 12:02
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Jamie Carragher caught plenty of criticism for his comments on Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez at the start of last season.
Despite the Liverpool legend since coming out and admitting he got it wrong, Carragher's comments have yet again been the subject of scrutiny after ex-Red Devils ace Daley Blind became the latest to indirectly address the Anfield hero's claim that Martinez was to small to survive in the Premier League.
Speaking after that infamous 4-0 defeat for United at the hands of Brentford last August - Martinez's second game for the club, Carragher declared: "The other problem he ( Erik 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."
The analysis sparked uproar among United's fanbase at the time and Martinez has since gone on to debunk Carragher's theory in impressive fashion.
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The Argentina international has proven he is more than comfortable mixing it with the big boys of English football and was undoubtedly one of United's most impressive players last term.
Lisandro Martinez has impressed for Manchester United this season despite Jamie Carragher's initial assessment (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Where does Martinez rank among the league's best central defenders? Comment below
Blind certainly seems to think so. He said as much while speaking to the official UTD podcast, as he alluded to Carragher's now infamous comments. "He [Martinez] is so aggressive, he’s really good with his feet," the Dutchman added.
"He’s really good at tackling. You cannot write him off just because he’s maybe not the height you expect him to be. I think he showed himself directly that he is capable of everything in the Premier League."
Blind also went on to add: "I think, in England, there is like this image of a centre-back and that is how it should be done and how a player in the centre should look like, the way he is, and I think, nowadays, you can fill it in different ways."
It is important to note that as previously mentioned, Carragher has been gracious enough to admit he got his initial assessment wrong.
Asked on The Overlap back in February if he would now change his stance on Martinez, the Sky Sports regular responded: "I think he’s been brilliant. To be that small and play centre-back, you obviously have to be a special player, a good player.
"Now, I didn’t think someone of that size could cope in the Premier League. But he has coped, and he’s been brilliant."