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Former Premier League defender Jamie Carragher has spoken out about two of Manchester United’s defenders, and who he would favour if he were in Ruben Amorim’s shoes.
Yesterday night saw Amorim set up with a back three of Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro to take on Tottenham in the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final.
Just before halftime, Lindelof was once more taken off injured as the defender has struggled over the recent months to avoid injuries.
However, the remaining pair were joined by veteran Jonny Evans who when on to score his first goal for The Red Devils since re-joining the club.
Unfortunately, the defenders couldn’t help the side avoid a 4-3 defeat, with Martinez actively contributing to one of Tottenham’s goals through a costly mistake.
Now, Carragher has commented on Martinez and Yoro, explaining why he’d be favouring United’s new signing over Martinez.
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Jamie Carragher favours Leny Yoro over Lisandro Martinez
It’s no new news that Jamie Carragher has always had concerns about the ability of Lisandro Martinez.
Speaking to the Stick to Football podcast, as reported by Manchester Evening News, Carragher recounted his concerns when United first signed the Argentine, commenting: “I said this when Manchester United signed him, but I did worry about Lisandro Martinez for his height.”
He continued: “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 games 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.
“I always think for set-pieces, your centre-backs sometimes and even your striker now – how many teams play with a massive player up front – it doesn’t really happen as much.
“Your two centre-backs have got to be, just for set-pieces, 6ft 3in, 6ft 4in, so at least you’ve got those two pillars.”
However, these comments are completely contrasting to the excitement he shared when discussing Yoro’s Carabao Cup debut on Sky Sports.
Addressing the youngster’s inclusion in the team, Carragher commented: “I’m really looking forward to seeing him.”
He continued: “He has had bits and pieces with the new manager so far. When he signed it was almost like Man United were doing something different.
“It wasn’t like signing [Raphael] Varane or Casemiro from Real Madrid where they have had their best days. This lad’s best days are in front of him.
“You look at the size and the physique of him, he looks the part before we have seen him play. He looks like a centre-back, he looks like he has got that stature and presence.
“He is in a back three, he wasn’t bought originally to play in that system. When you play a back three, no centre-back wants to be drawn into those wide areas but when you look at those long legs, [you think] he may be able to deal with it.”
Carragher believes that Yoro’s frame will lend him to having more success at Old Trafford than Martinez.
Recently it’s been reported that Amorim sees Yoro as a key part of his long-term plans at United, having been excited by the generational talent since before the new manager arrived at the club.
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