Lisandro Martínez has criticised former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes for making derogatory comments about him behind his back, following United’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Speaking on the podcast "Good, the Bad and the Football" before the derby, Scholes and fellow former player Nicky Butt mocked the Argentine defender’s height, suggesting he would struggle against Erling Haaland. Scholes said Haaland would “throw him in the net”, while Butt compared Martínez to “a dad at school running down the road with a little toddler”.
After the match, Martínez responded: “He can say whatever he wants. I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care. Everyone can talk on the television, but when you see here face to face, no one says anything in your face.” He added that his motivation comes from his family, not from critics.
Scholes later replied on Instagram, writing: “Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you … Tea, no sugar pls.”
The win moved United up to fifth in the Premier League, one point behind Liverpool in fourth. Martínez praised the fans’ support and interim head coach Michael Carrick, saying Carrick “knows what this club really means” and brought a different mentality after Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
