Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has issued a stark warning ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League derby, claiming Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland will deliberately target United defender Lisandro Martinez.
Carrick's Tough First Test Against City
The high-stakes clash at Old Trafford, kicking off at lunchtime on Saturday, presents a formidable first challenge for Michael Carrick as United's interim head coach. Carrick is expected to persist with a back four, a system used in recent matches including the 2-2 draw with Burnley and the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
Argentine centre-back Lisandro Martinez started both of those games, but his resilience is set for the ultimate examination against the division's most prolific striker.
Haaland's Form a Major Concern for United
Scholes expressed his concern during a discussion on The Overlap, highlighting the specific threat posed by the Norwegian international. Erling Haaland has already netted an astonishing 20 Premier League goals this season, making him the most feared forward in the country.
"There's every chance he [Haaland] will target him [Martinez], of course he will," Scholes stated bluntly. His fellow pundit and former teammate Nicky Butt concurred, adding, "To be fair, no one can handle him. He's that good, that powerful, he's just ridiculous."
United's Counter-Attack Threat Diminished
The conversation also turned to United's potential approach, with Butt suggesting the team has lost a key weapon against City. "I actually always fancied us over the last few years when we used to play counter-attack against them, with Rashford up front and the speed," Butt said. "I don't think we've got that now. I don't think we've got the pace up there now to play counter-attack."
This leaves Carrick with a significant tactical puzzle to solve in his dugout debut, as he seeks to contain Haaland's relentless threat while finding a way to hurt the reigning champions.
The outcome of this individual battle between Martinez and Haaland could very well decide the fate of the Manchester derby and shape the early narrative of Carrick's temporary reign.
