Jamie Carragher wants Lisandro Martinez to ‘keep away from’ Erling Haaland during the Manchester derby

Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez has been advised by Jamie Carragher to “keep away from” Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. The former Liverpool defender wants the Argentine to outsmart the Norwegian.

Haaland signed for the Sky Blues in the recent transfer window from Borussia Dortmund. The 22-year-old has gotten off to a blistering start in the Premier League.

Speaking to The Telegraph (Subscription Required) [h/t Manchester Evening News], Carragher does not want Martinez to try and outmuscle Haaland. The defender, whose career spanned 17 years at the Merseyside club, believes the Argentine needs to be competent to deal with the Norwegian.

“The best advice Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag can offer Lisandro Martinez about dealing with Erling Haaland is to keep away from him.

“Some battles can be won by outmuscling or outplaying an opponent. Other players need out-thinking. Martinez must be at his smartest to get the better of his Manchester City rival this weekend.”

Under Pep Guardiola, Haaland has featured in 10 games for City. The centre-forward has scored 14 goals for the Sky Blues in all competitions.

Haaland signed for Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020. In his two-and-a-half-season spell with the German outfit, the 22-year-old scored 86 goals in 89 appearances in all competitions.

While Haaland has been amazing, Martinez is no slouch. Against the Norway international, the Argentine should not be counted out.

Surprisingly, doubts crept up around Martinez when he signed for United from Ajax in the recent transfer window. And the 24-year-old had a bad start to his United career, struggling against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford.

However, Martinez has bounced back. The Argentine has won fans over with his aggressiveness and intensity on the pitch. And the 24-year-old has been part of a defence that has gone on a four-game win streak in the Premier League.

More Manchester United News

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• Ruben Neves rejected Liverpool and Manchester United to wait for Barcelona
• Paul Merson tips Anthony Elanga to start over Antony for Manchester United against Manchester City in the derby

We face City next on 2 October away from home and supporters will hope the Red Devils can make it five victories in a row. The battle between United’s back-four and Haaland will be interesting to see.