Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has weighed in on Manchester United’s defensive struggles, expressing optimism about 19-year-old Leny Yoro’s potential while reiterating concerns over Lisandro Martinez.
United signed Yoro from Lille for £52 million this summer, recognizing him as one of Europe’s top young center-backs. Despite missing the start of the season due to a foot injury sustained in pre-season, the Frenchman made his full debut in Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Tottenham. While United suffered a dramatic 4-3 defeat, Carragher believes Yoro’s physical attributes and potential make him better suited for United’s defense than Martinez.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Carragher reiterated concerns he voiced when United signed Martinez, the 5ft 9in Argentine defender, in 2022. “I said this when Manchester United signed him: I worried about Lisandro Martinez for his height,” Carragher explained. “If I was a manager, I would never buy a defender that small. It’s not that I dislike him as a player—he’s got great spirit, is brilliant on the ball, and aggressive—but modern football demands taller center-backs for set-pieces and aerial duels.”
Martinez, a £57 million acquisition under former manager Erik ten Hag, struggled during the loss to Tottenham, notably failing to clear a ball that led to Dejan Kulusevski’s second goal for Spurs. Carragher used this performance to underscore his concerns. “Your center-backs need to be pillars, at least 6ft 3in, because full-backs are now more like wingers, and strikers aren’t always the big target men they used to be,” he said.
In contrast, Carragher sees promise in Yoro. Before the match, the former Liverpool defender told Sky Sports: “Yoro looks the part. Physically, he has the stature and presence of a top center-back. United didn’t originally buy him to play in a back three, but he has the attributes to adapt, especially with those long legs that help in wide areas.”
However, Carragher acknowledged Yoro’s inexperience, noting mistakes during Thursday’s game. “Young center-backs, like goalkeepers, face an unforgiving learning curve,” he remarked. “Yoro didn’t follow in on the first goal and failed to anticipate the overlap for Tottenham’s second. These are things he’ll learn with time.”
Despite United’s struggles, Carragher believes Yoro represents a promising shift in the club’s transfer strategy. “Unlike signings like [Raphael] Varane or Casemiro, who arrived after their peak, Yoro’s best days are ahead of him,” he said.
As United navigate their defensive challenges under new manager Ruben Amorim, Yoro’s development could prove pivotal to stabilizing their backline.
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