Chicharito ridiculed by Honduran comic strip as Manchester United striker prepares to face them with Mexico

Remember Euro '96 and when the Mirror led with their Achtung Fritz headline and pictures of Stuart Pearce and Paul Gascoigne depicted as World War Two heroes prior to the semi-final with Germany?

Well this doesn't quite have the political connotations, but the media in Honduras are busy stoking up the intensity of their upcoming World Cup Qualifier with Mexico.

The brunt of the ire for the central American hotspot, is taken by Manchester United striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez.

The Little Pea has been the target of a two week long mickey-taking by the Honduran press, who have ridiculed him in a comic strip.

They began by laughing at his failure to get into the United first team, depicting him begging with Sir Alex Ferguson for a chance, only to be ignored by the manager.

Then this week as the tie between Honduras and Mexico neared, a second cartoon was released, which begins by sending up the entire Mexican team, and ends focusing on Chicharito. Hernandez is the focus towards the end of the video, with him 'hiding under the bed' refusing to come out because he is too scared to face the Honduran defenders.

The ridicule has made big headlines in Mexico, and Hernandez was even asked about it in the build-up to the clash. His response? Simply to say he is ignoring any off-field drama and is fully focused on doing his job on the pitch.

That's right, he wants to make the Hondurans pay where it hurts and ram their jibes straight back at them. Perhaps it is Honduras who should be afraid.

The qualifier takes place in Honduras at 9.05pm UK time. It's certainly worth keeping an eye on!