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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Ralph Hasenhuttl makes Lisandro Martinez admission when asked if he'll target Man United star

Lisandro Martinez's height has been a hot topic since the Argentina international moved to Manchester United.

His modest 5ft 9in frame has already been the subject of ample debates. When Ben Mee rose above him to nod in just a few yards out in Brentford's thumping win over United earlier this month, it led to a rise in criticism not only of the player but manager Erik ten Hag who fought so hard to ensure the 24-year-old followed him from Ajax to Old Trafford.

Martinez was hauled off at half-time that day but a hugely encouraging performance in the win over Liverpool saw him fight back against his critics.

Read more: Ten Hag's next test will prove how much United have really changed

He is now hoping to follow that up with another impressive showing against Southampton on Saturday as United aim to seal back-to-back wins for the first time since February.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was asked during his pre-match press conference whether his side will target Martinez on Saturday, just as Brentford did to huge success.

"I think it's not that easy in football," he said. "It's not that easy to say 'he's small so bring the ball there' and 'he's a little taller so don't kick it there' - it's not that simple.

"We will not be so stupid to think that is going our way. We definitely want to do things that will make them struggle and hopefully we can see this on Saturday."

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