Lisandro Martinez teased Jamie Carragher with a sharp joke after Manchester United's 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah, telling the CBS Sports panel he only watches "quality players" when asked who his favourite host was.
The Argentine defender was in a playful mood following the victory at Old Trafford, where he scored his first goal for the club. He joined the CBS studio line-up of Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and Kate Scott for a post-match interview, and when Richards asked who his favourite presenter was, Martinez could not resist a cheeky dig.
A sharp comeback for the defenders
Having singled out Henry as his top pick, Carragher asked: "What about us defenders?" which prompted a brilliantly sharp comeback from the 28-year-old. He said: "I watch quality players, you know?"
The quip brought the house down in the studio, with Henry, Carragher and Richards erupting in laughter and applause. The banter continued when Richards asked whether he used to watch the former Liverpool defender, and what he thought of him as a player. Martinez replied: "As a player? Good person you know," sending the studio into fits of laughter once more.
Carragher's earlier doubts recalled
The exchange follows Carragher casting doubt over Martinez as a centre-half shortly after his arrival at the club in 2022, given the powerhouse stands at just 5ft 9in. Speaking on Sky Sports at the time, the 48-year-old said: "We should never judge managers or players too early, but I'm convinced this can't work because the size of him playing in a back four.
"Maybe he could go left-back, maybe he could play in a back three, but in a back four, he cannot play there in the Premier League."
Having been proven wrong by Martinez, who has more than held his own in one of the world's most physically gruelling leagues, Carragher issued an apology the following year. He said: "He (Martinez) is a warrior and a leader.
"He and Casemiro are the two new signings who have transformed Man Utd. So apologies to Lisandro Martinez and Man United fans, you can stop tweeting me now about it."
United's European standing and upcoming fixtures
Carragher's remarks came off the back of United climbing to fourth in the Champions League standings following their victory, sitting behind only Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in terms of goals scored and goal difference.
United's next European assignment sees them travel to Atletico Madrid on October 13. Before that, however, Carrick and his side will shift their focus to league matters ahead of the September international break.
United face the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday, before hosting Brighton and Hove Albion in a League Cup tie on Wednesday, 16 September. A visit to Craven Cottage rounds off the club's fixtures for the month on Sunday, 20 September.
