GRAEME SOUNESS has admitted that he was wrong about Lisandro Martinez.
The retired pundit suggested that the Argentine, 25, would be too small for the Premier League when he joined Manchester United last summer.
Souness, 70, claimed Martinez was “vertically challenged” and that he would often find himself to be in a “mismatch” against the Premier League’s physical strikers.
He also argued that the former Ajax star was not “good enough on the ball” and that he would get found out.
He was not alone in his observations as many suggested that he would struggle.
Martinez has managed to prove his doubters wrong and become one of United’s most important players.
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Souness has now suggested that the defender has been a big miss for the Red Devils since his injury against Sevilla in the Europa League.
Souness wrote in his MailOnline column: “United are the ones who have to keep their nerve in these all-important two weeks.
“I ascribe some of their fall-off in form to the absence of Lisandro Martinez.
“They’ve have won only three of their six league matches since he was injured at Sevilla.
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“I thought Martinez would get found out in the Premier League because of his physique.
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“I still believe that will be an issue for him going forward – but he is one who leads from the front for United and has a big influence on those around him.”
Martinez has played 45 times for the club this season and formed a brilliant partnership with Raphael Varane.
Souness has recently retired from punditry and has announced his next move in his life.
The Liverpool legend will swim the English channel for the charity DEBRA which supports people living with skin disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – also known as Butterfly Skin.
Explaining his decision to embark on the incredible challenge, Souness told BBC Breakfast: “It’s the most horrendous disease.
“If you’re inflicted by it you must wake up every morning and say why me? It’s a desperate situation.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
