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"If he was an inch taller he'd be the best centre-half in Britain. His father is 6ft 2in – I'd check the milkman."

This was Sir Alex Ferguson ’s famous assessment of Gary Neville during the legendary Scot’s time as Manchester United manager.

With the former England international standing out 5ft 11, it would appear Jamie Carragher was right when discussing full-backs he quipped: “You're either a failed winger or a failed centre-back. No-one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville.”

Such remarks are amusing and do contain an element of truth. After all, English football traditionally demands its centre-backs to be big, tall and strong. If you’re not 6ft tall, at least, then you’re not a centre-back.

Except United are about to break that narrative with their third signing of the summer after the Red Devils agreed a £45m deal with Ajax to reunite Lisandro Martinez with his former manager Erik ten Hag. The Argentine will be a unique prospect in the Premier League this season with the centre-back only standing at 5ft 9.

Yet he