Lisandro Martinez sent Premier League warning after early Manchester United struggles

Former Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City striker Chris Sutton believes other Premier League strikers will now be targeting Lisandro Martinez as a weak point in Manchester United's defence following his difficult start to life in England.

After being fortunate to escape giving away a penalty in last Sunday's opening day defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, Martinez, a summer signing from Ajax, was guilty of failing to deal with Brentford's physical threat at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. He was no match for Brentford's approach, constantly being caught out by their high-press plan.

He was well beaten by Ben Mee for Brentford's third goal and was taken off by Erik ten Hag at half-time, being replaced by Raphael Varane. He arrived in England with a reputation for being a hard-working, tenacious tackler, but he is yet to show any evidence of it.

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The Argentine, who Ten Hag fought tooth and nail for, was a player that Brentford targeted as a weak link in United's backline, as confirmed by Bees manager Thomas Frank after the game. And after the start Martinez has made to life in United colours, Sutton believes other strikers will now be aiming to get the better of him this season.

Penning his column for the Mail, Sutton said: "If you feel you can get the better of someone, why wouldn't you use that? Martinez was one of three men hooked at half-time by Erik ten Hag on Saturday — the ultimate humiliation for a footballer — and it’s been a rough welcome to the Premier League for him.

"After seeing Martinez dominated individually, other strikers will be targeting him now. I know I would.

"Although we have to say, it would be unfair to