Jamie Carragher warns Man United's Lisandro Martinez to 'keep away' from Erling Haaland

Jamie Carragher has told Lisandro Martinez to “keep away” from Erling Haaland in Sunday’s Manchester derby.

The Manchester City striker is in red hot form, having scored 14 goals in nine games this season. Concerns about Martinez’s height had been aired upon his arrival at Manchester United.

Most of these cool after impressive displays from Martinez against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. However, Carragher still believes his 5ft 9in stature could be an issue when he comes up against Haaland in the derby this weekend.

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

“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.

“It is a psychological as much as a physical test in the biggest fixtures against the best players, recognising what you are up against and trying to work out what the opponent wants you to do most, and what they enjoy least. That is the challenge for Martinez, Raphael Varane or anyone facing Haaland.”

Carragher added: “It is well known that some of the greatest centre-backs of all time, including Italy’s Franco Baresi, Argentina’s Daniel Passarella and England’s Bobby Moore, were less than 6ft, proving size is no barrier to being a world-class centre-half.

“The difference is they were pretty much 10 out of 10 in every other department, compensating for the one weakness they could do nothing about. It is premature to suggest Martinez will be so flawless in