Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has hit back at remarks made by club legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, daring them to repeat their jokes to his face.
The controversy started on the former midfielders’ podcast ahead of United’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City in the Old Trafford derby. Scholes and Butt humorously suggested that Martinez, who stands 5ft 9in, would be overpowered by 6ft 5in City striker Erling Haaland, joking that Haaland could pick him up and throw him into the net.
However, Martinez played a key role in keeping a clean sheet against Haaland, who was substituted in the 80th minute, proving the doubters wrong on the pitch.
After the match, the Argentine defender responded to the comments, questioning whether the former stars would make such jokes in person. He said:
“Honestly, he [Scholes] 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.”
Martinez added that while he respects their desire to support the club, face-to-face interactions are different from television banter:
“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.”
The exchange has since sparked debate among fans about player pride, respect, and the blurred lines between humor and criticism in football media.
