Manchester United told Lisandro Martinez is too short for Premier League: “This can’t work”

Jamie Carragher believes Lisandro Martinez has no chance of succeeding as a Premier League centre-back.

The 24-year-old joined Manchester United earlier this summer in a £57m deal from Ajax, as Erik ten Hag got his man despite interest from Arsenal earlier in the window.

However, it’s been a disastrous start to life in England for Martinez, who has struggled in United’s opening two matches as his new side sit bottom of the table after defeats to Brighton and Brentford.

Both of those sides were more direct in their style of play than usual, with Danny Welbeck and Ivan Toney enjoying success against Martinez who had to deal with a significant height disadvantage.

While it is still early in the defender’s United career, Carragher is adamant that Martinez does not have the attributes to play as a centre-back in a back four in the Premier League.

“The problem [Ten Hag] has got straight away is the signing of Lisandro Martinez at the back,” Carragher said.

“We should never judge managers or players too early, but I’m convinced this can’t work because he’s the size of 5’9 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.”

He added: “Every single team that play Manchester United... should target him. If they don’t, they’re crackers. I think [United] have got a huge problem.”