Carragher suggests Maguire-Lindelof partnership at Man Utd better than Varane-Martinez

Jamie Carragher has suggested that Man Utd defenders Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof performed better in the 2019/2o campaign than Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have this term.

Erik ten Hag’s current favourite pairing is Varane and Martinez when they’ve been fit this season with Maguire and Lindelof playing bit-part roles.

Liverpool legend Carragher and other pundits doubted that Martinez would thrive in the Premier League after joining the Red Devils from Ajax in the summer for around £47m.

Carragher had doubts about Martinez’s height but admitted in February that he had been wrong about the Man Utd centre-back.

The former Liverpool defender said on Sky Sports: “I think he’s been brilliant. To be that small and play at centre-back, you’ve obviously got to be a special player, a good player.

“I didn’t think someone of that size could cope in the Premier League, and he has coped. I think he’s been brilliant. I think he’s been a big part of [United’s spirit].

“I think it was a game I saw a few weeks ago when he was actually a sub, and someone scored a late goal, and he was right involved. This was only two or three weeks ago.

“And obviously, we saw him in the World Cup, Argentinian. He’s got that fight. I think him and Casemino coming in… it feels more powerful, stronger. But I didn’t think a centre-back that size would be able to cope.”

But Carragher got involved in a debate on Twitter on Monday with some Man Utd fans after claiming that Virgil van Dijk is “far better” than Man Utd legend Nemanja Vidic.

That provoked some angry responses from Man Utd supporters who couldn’t possibly agree, with United Stand presenter Mark Goldbridge taking a swipe at Carragher’s previous comments on Martinez.

Goldbridge wrote on Twitter: “I genuinely wouldn’t take much notice on @Carra23 opinion on CB’s. He told everyone Martinez would flop without watching him because he was small. Martinez currently the best CB in the league on a debut season. Sit down.”

And Carragher stoked the flames even more by pointing out a fact about Maguire and Lindelof in 2019/20 compared to Martinez and Varane this season.

Carragher responded: “The partnership of Maguire & Lindelof in the 2019/20 season, conceded 1 less goal than Martinez & Varane have in this campaign. There are still 9 games to go this season.”

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