(Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images) / (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Gary Neville has singled out Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez for his costly error during last night’s 4-3 League Cup quarter-final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur.
The thrilling encounter saw Spurs secure their place in the semi-finals after a roller-coaster of a game littered with individual errors from both sides.
Tottenham took the lead in the 15th minute when Dominic Solanke capitalized on a rebound after Pedro Porro’s powerful shot was parried directly into his path by the United goalkeeper. The north London side doubled their lead early in the second half when Dejan Kulusevski slotted home after a terrible clearance from Martinez.
Minutes later, Solanke added his second with a brilliant finish, putting Spurs 3-0 up.
Manchester United got back into the game, with Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo capitalizing on two terrible mistakes from Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
However, Spurs captain Heung-min Son restored the two-goal cushion in the 88th minute with an audacious corner kick. that found the bottom of the net. Despite Jonny Evans’ late header in stoppage time, United’s comeback was short-lived and Tottenham advanced to the semi-finals where they will face Liverpool.
Gary Neville calls out Lisandro Martinez for a poor performance
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Gary Neville did not hold back in his criticism of Martinez, highlighting the defender’s poor start which led directly to Kulusevski’s goal.
He said (citation via The Mirror):
“I have to say Lisandro Martínez’s clearance is simply appalling. Play it straight to Kulusevski.”
“He was let down by two mistakes, Ruben Amorim. He really has. You can talk about structure, shape, pattern tactics, but if your goalkeeper is standing in the center of the box and your centre-back hits it with the outside of his left boot… it’s a cheeky clearance” .
The error was just one of several defensive errors in what has been a frustrating season for Manchester United. Despite a spirited fight, mistakes by key players ultimately cost them the game and the chance to win.
