Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has hit back at comments by Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt mocking his size, and dared the former Manchester United duo to repeat them to his face.Entertainment center
The club legends joked on their podcast ahead of United’s win in the Old Trafford derby that Martinez’s battle with Erling Haaland was such a mismatch that the 6ft 5in Manchester City striker would pick up the 5ft 9in United defender and throw him in the back of the net.
United eventually won 2-0 in Michael Carrick’s first game as head coach, and Martinez helped to shut out Haaland, who was substituted in the 80th minute.
Afterwards, the Argentine defender criticised the pair for comments he claims they would never make in person when they see him around the club, and challenged them to visit his house to repeat them face-to-face.
Speaking about Scholes, he said: ‘Honestly, he can say whatever he wants.
‘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.’
It prompted a swift response from Scholes who posted a message to Martinez on social media yesterday (sun), saying: ‘Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you … tea, no sugar pls.’
There was laughter on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast last week when 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!’
Martinez brushed off the comments, saying: ‘I don’t really care what they say. People always say whatever they want, it’s something that I can’t control. What I can only do is to show on the pitch and I think today I showed it.
‘We have to be focused for the rest of this club. We want to change this situation and we are the only ones who can change it.’
Asked if the comments gave him extra motivation, he replied: ‘No, nothing. It doesn’t give me anything. My motivation is my family, that’s it.’
