Man Utd's Response as Lisandro Martinez vs Paul Scholes Feud Turns Ugly
Manchester United have issued a 'response' to the explosive feud between Lisandro Martinez and Paul Scholes following the club legend's stinging comments ahead of the Manchester derby.
Man United beat Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday in Michael Carrick's first game in charge following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.
Bryan Mbeumo, who was restored to the starting XI following his campaign with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, opened the scoring in the 65th minute before Patrick Dorgu doubled his side's lead 11 minutes later.
Man United were deserving of the victory as Carrick's team outplayed Pep Guardiola's side at Old Trafford.
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Before the game, ex-Man United players Scholes and Nicky Butt poked fun at the battle between Martinez and Erling Haaland, who didn't get a sniff in the derby.
Butt and Scholes both mocked Martinez, making digs about his height.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt said: "Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him. It’ll be like, you know, when you see a dad after school running down the road with a little toddler. That’s what it’d be like."
Scholes added: "He’d score, then throw him in the net!"
Well, Martinez not only contained Haaland but also helped Man United keep a clean sheet.
After his heroics at the back, the Argentine was asked about Scholes' pre-match comments.
"Honestly, he can say whatever he wants," he said.
"I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to me wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don't care.
"I respect when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television. But when you see (them) here face-to-face, no one says anything in your face."
Asked if the comments gave him extra motivation, the diminutive defender replied: "No, nothing. It doesn't give me anything. My motivation is my family, that's it."
According to ESPN, Man United are 'known to be unhappy' at Scholes and Butt's comments about Martinez.
Per the report, they believe 'it was an attempt to mock Martinez rather than offer any constructive analysis'.
Scholes and Butt have been back at their old side, with the pair spotted in the directors' box alongside Sir Alex Ferguson for Man United's 2-1 defeat to Brighton in the FA Cup last weekend - a match Martinez played in.
It remains to be seen whether they will be welcomed back following their latest comments about the current Red Devils star.
Topics: Paul Scholes, Lisandro Martinez, Football, Man Utd
Nasir Jabbar