Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez issued a defiant rebuke to critics after Saturday’s 2-0 derby win over Manchester City, stating he “doesn’t care” about commentary from former players and pundits.
Martinez, who helped contain Erling Haaland to secure United’s third Premier League clean sheet of the season, was responding to pre-match jibes from club legends Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.
Butt had quipped that Haaland would treat Martinez “like a little toddler,” while Scholes suggested the striker would “throw him in the net.”
“Honestly, he can say whatever he wants,” Martinez said of Scholes. “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.”
The Argentine defender drew a sharp distinction between television criticism and face-to-face confrontation. “Everyone can talk on the television, but when you see them here face to face, no-one says anything in your face,” he added. “So for me, I don’t really care what they say.”
Scholes responded lightheartedly on social media, sharing Martinez’s comments with the note: “Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you.” To the house invitation, he replied: “tea, no sugar.”
The exchange followed a morale-boosting victory that gave interim manager Michael Carrick a dream start, though it also highlighted the heightened scrutiny surrounding United’s underperforming squad.
By James Kisoo
