Paul Scholes has given high praise to Lisandro Martinez for his standout performance during Manchester United’s 2-0 derby victory over rivals City. However, he cautioned the Argentinian defender that he needs to handle criticism better after Martinez took issue with comments made by Scholes and Nicky Butt prior to the game.
Following the match, where Martinez played a crucial role, he confronted Scholes, challenging him to a face-to-face conversation. This was in response to playful remarks made by Scholes and Butt regarding his size, especially considering the matchup against Erling Haaland, with Scholes suggesting that the Norwegian would easily outmuscle him.
On their podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Football, Scholes and Butt explained that their jabs were intended to be lighthearted.
Butt acknowledged the brilliance of Martinez’s display that day, stating, “He was excellent, and credit to him for standing up against one of the best centre-forwards in the world. Him and Harry (Maguire) were exceptional together.”
Butt added that such performances are part of the expectation for a Manchester United player, especially during derby matches.
While Scholes also commended the defender’s showing, he expressed lingering doubts about Martinez’s long-term consistency. He stated, “Criticism can fuel players, and I think we deserve some credit for his performance on Saturday.”
He further warned, “He’s had one outstanding game, but when you express yourself confidently, this game has a way of humbling you. I’m not yet convinced you can claim a league title with him. He needs to prove this level of performance consistently.”
Scholes mentioned that he had messaged Martinez on social media, even sharing his phone number, but hadn’t heard back.
Butt remarked that Martinez’s emotional response highlights questions about his mentality. He added, “Our comments were obviously lighthearted. To react so strongly and invite someone to your home is immature. If you let media comments upset you, this may not be the right club for you.”
He reflected on his own experiences, stating, “During my time at United and Newcastle, I faced a lot of criticism. The next week, I received accolades. There’s no personal animosity towards Martinez.”
Butt recounted how criticism from Alan Hansen, who famously said “you can’t win anything with kids,” during his younger days became a valuable lesson in dealing with scrutiny. “At 18, I was shaken, but I learned to rise above it and show everyone what I can do.”
