Paul Scholes accepts Lisandro Martinez invitation

Manchester United’s rebuild has been anything but quiet, with every performance dissected by former players and pundits alike.

Big personalities have never been far from the surface at Old Trafford, especially when standards slip and pride is challenged.

Derby days, in particular, tend to reopen old wounds and amplify every comment made in the build-up.

For current players, those opinions can either weigh heavy or act as fuel.

And this week, one United defender made it clear he has little time for criticism from club legends.

The spotlight has now firmly landed on Lisandro Martinez and Paul Scholes after a heated exchange spilled beyond the pitch following Manchester United’s derby victory.

What began as pre-match analysis quickly turned personal, with Martinez responding sharply to comments made by Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt in the lead-up to the clash.

Martinez had the final say on the pitch.

In Michael Carrick’s first match in charge, the Argentine centre-back delivered one of his most commanding displays in a United shirt, helping the side to a deserved 2-0 win and a clean sheet.

Lining up alongside Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, Martinez looked composed, aggressive and assured throughout, snuffing out danger and leading by example at the back.

Unsurprisingly, he was in no mood to let earlier remarks slide.

Speaking to reporters after full-time, Martinez was asked directly about comments made by Scholes and Butt.

His response was blunt and unapologetic.

“Honestly, he [Scholes] can say whatever he wants.

“I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to wherever he wants,” Martinez said.

He doubled down moments later.

“To my house, wherever. I don’t care. And I think, for me, I respect the relations when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television.

“But when you sit here face-to-face, no one says anything in your face.

“So, for me, I don’t really care what they say.

“I just put the focus on my performance, the performance of the team and I give everything to this club until my last day.”

When questioned on whether criticism from former United stars motivates him, Martinez shut that down too.

“No, nothing. It doesn’t give me anything. My motivation is my family. That’s it.”

Paul Scholes, however, appeared more than happy to respond.

Taking to Instagram after the match, the Old Trafford icon posted a sarcastic message aimed directly at the defender.

“Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you… Tea, no sugar pls @lisandromartinezzz,” Scholes wrote on his Instagram story, seemingly accepting Martinez’s invitation with tongue firmly in cheek.

The roots of the clash stretch back to punditry before kick-off.

On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt admitted he feared for United’s younger players against Erling Haaland.

Scholes interjected, saying “Martinez against Haaland,” before wincing.

Butt then added: “Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him.

“You know when you see a dad at school running down the road with a little toddler?”

Martinez’s performance ensured those comments aged poorly.