GRAEME SOUNESS piled in on Lisandro Martinez AGAIN – despite the Manchester United defender’s top form.
The former Liverpool captain wasted no time in criticising the Argentine when he arrived in England.
He questioned the 24-year-old’s physical prowess and reading of the game at the end of August.
And now he has doubled down on his views on the instant fan favourite nicknamed the Butcher, as well as questioning the defender’s ability with his feet.
Souness told talkSPORT: “We’ve played 12 games. There’s a lot to like about him, I like his aggression.
“The first thing he did when they played Liverpool at Old Trafford, he’s gone right through Mohamed Salah.
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“Salah for the rest of the game was looking for him. I like that. That’s professional sport, he did his job very early on Mo Salah and for the rest of the game looking over his shoulder.
“I just feel when you are that size you will get caught. You will get pinned in the box.”
Souness – who referred to his ongoing laments over Paul Pogba to defend his stance – added: “I don’t think he’s terribly quick, I don’t think he’s terribly good on the ball, but he makes other people play and has real aggression, which Argentinians tend to have.
“We are talking about the Premier League. He will [get found out].
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“At 5ft 9ins and he’s playing against guys who are 6ft 2ins then he will get pinned occasionally.
“He will get out sprinted occasionally and he will get caught. That’s my take on it.
“I can’t tell you a centre-back in English football, in my time of the game, that has been successful being that size.”
However, fans on social media were quick to counter Souness’ arguments.
Martinez, a £56million arrival from Ajax, has been one of United’s standout performers this season.
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He has played in all 17 matches – and missed just 55 minutes of action in the Premier League.
Since getting dragged off at half-time in the 4-0 thrashing at Brentford, Martinez has conceded ten goals in ten games, six of which were scored by Manchester City.
That fine run of form includes five league clean sheets, one goal conceded in their last six in all competitions and no goals conceded at Old Trafford since early September.
He formed a strong partnership with Raphael Varane before the Frenchman’s hamstring injury – and recorded another shutout with Harry Maguire against West Ham.
One supporter said on Souness: “He’s obsessed, just so unnecessarily negative, move on.”
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Another wrote: “His ability on the ball is literally one of his biggest strengths and one of the reasons Ten Hag wanted him at Manchester United… what’s this man smoking?”
And a Newcastle fan commented: “I can’t stand Man United but he needs to admit he got this one wrong. Martinez has been one of the best CBs in the league this season.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
