Lisandro Martinez's aerial struggles for Man United in 4-0 thrashing to Brentford have been debunked in viral video
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Talk of Lisandro Martinez struggling in the air against Brentford has been debunked in a viral video showing he he really fared.
After watching the 4-0 humiliation United were on the receiving end of, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher delivered a quite brutal verdict on the Argentine after two games and two losses.
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Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher said the £55 million signing, standing at 5ft 9, is too small to play centrally in a back four in the Premier League.
"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," Carragher said as he did his analysis on Sky Sports and showed stats that indicated Brighton and Brentford targeted him by going longer with their passes.
"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."
🗣️ "I'm convinced this can't work!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 15, 2022
Jamie Carragher is convinced Lisandro Martínez can't play in a back four at Manchester United. pic.twitter.com/k3RmPhYQas
Carragher went on say to that he every team apart from Manchester City and Liverpool - should look to target Martinez, the smallest centre-back in the league - and that they would be "crackers" if they didn't.
However, a fan on Twitter has responded to those comments by posting two videos from Martinez's display, highlighting that he wasn't exactly dominated.

The first video captures "Every conceivable attempt to target United's left hand side in the air in buildup against Brentford" and shows Martinez actually dealt with the threat reasonably well in what was just his second game in English football.
Every conceivable attempt to target United's left hand side in the air in buildup against Brentford pic.twitter.com/l6ojzAMdnH
— My video editing is bad but your takes are worse (@JamesWe60064689) August 16, 2022
The second clip splices together "Every time Lisandro Martinez contested anything resembling an aerial duel against Brentford" and the height didn't prove much of an issue for him.
He won a lot of his duels, including a really strong action to take the ball just 11 minutes in when it was smashed up into the sky.
Granted he did get done for the third goal when Ben Mee got the better of him at the far post on the second header, but plenty feel as though his display wasn't anywhere near as worrying as Carragher made out.
One goal directly conceded and the narrative was he struggled with aerials. He may well struggle with this sometimes, but the narrative/conclusion has been dishonestly set already. https://t.co/sKsuyPLcts
— O O (@otoiks) August 16, 2022
He should never have been subbed off. ETH took an easy option. That third goal at the back post we have conceded so many times past couple of years. It’s not because of the height or anything. He just missed the flight if the ball in a congested area. https://t.co/cVZdO1PAvV
— Z (@zhashank) August 16, 2022
5ft9 or whatever. No one cares. He is decent & his height isn't an issue. #MUFC https://t.co/kE10D7GqP3
— Ed (@cappeddy_) August 16, 2022
He's certainly being targeted but if he doesn't necessarily win the aerial duel, he's good at making sure the opposition doesn't. https://t.co/oUs9nATkTc
— Adam Laird (@adzlaird) August 16, 2022
Martinez was fine - the lack of cover in front of him and sweeping in behind him are the biggest problems, like they have been for every CB https://t.co/Pce0wIv8et
— rigs mufc (@rigsmufc) August 16, 2022
I'm telling you lot man he's an intelligent footballer, give him time and he'll blossom https://t.co/XRW1G1g8p8
— Gearless🇮🇳 (@van_Persiefan) August 16, 2022
Martinez is the new Ben White. Agendas from Sky Sports because it will get attention. Difference is Martinez won almost all his duels so there's literally no excuse for this. Getting beat by Ben Mee in the air when trapped under the ball isn't something wrong with #6 https://t.co/zZCuBXcu92
— EDJ 🇫🇷🇪🇦🇩🇿🇧🇷🇵🇰 (@Estudiante_DJ) August 16, 2022
Martinez and Luke Shaw were both hooked at half-time by Erik ten Hag after the four-goal haul in the first half, with Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia both coming in.
Next up for bottom club United is the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford next Monday, where both sides are looking for their first win of the new campaign at the third attempt.
Featured Image Credit: Image: Sky Sports
Topics: Lisandro Martinez, Premier League, Ajax, Brentford, Manchester United