Paul Scholes maintains stance on Lisandro Martinez criticism
Paul Scholes has refused to back down from his controversial remarks about Manchester United centre-back Lisandro Martinez, despite the 28-year-old Argentine silencing Erling Haaland during the Red Devils’ 2-0 triumph over Manchester City at Old Trafford, reports BritPanorama.
Speaking on Sky’s The Overlap, the former United midfielder remained unrepentant when given the opportunity to retract his earlier criticism.
“No, I’m not apologising for it, no,” Scholes stated. He conceded that his choice of words left something to be desired, but stood firm on his underlying assessment.
He explained, “The thing we were trying to say was, we thought, and it still is, physically, it’s a mismatch.” Scholes acknowledged that the phrasing on his podcast with Nicky Butt was regrettable and that he understood why Martinez took offence. “I can see why he was offended by it, and that’s why I say we probably worded it not in a great way,” he added.
However, Scholes pointed to the defender’s recent inconsistencies to justify his scepticism. “He’s had one good game. How many, two? I hope to God he proves me wrong, but look at the week before against Brighton, Danny Welbeck [scores]. Look at the week before that, Burnley. He gave the goal away against Burnley,” he remarked.
Scholes insisted he wants to see Martinez maintain his derby form throughout an entire campaign, with Sunday’s fixture against Arsenal representing another significant test.
Martinez responded defiantly following the derby victory, challenging the former midfielder to confront him directly rather than through television appearances. “Honestly, he can say whatever he wants. 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 declared. “Everyone can talk on the television, but when you sit here face to face, no one says anything in your face.”
Scholes subsequently reached out to Martinez on social media with a light-hearted message acknowledging the defender’s performance. “Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you. Tea, no sugar pls @lisandromartinezzz,” he wrote.
But Butt dismissed the backlash against their podcast remarks, characterising the comments as casual banter rather than serious analysis. “For me, we are a podcast, and we talk like three lads in a pub having a conversation. We are not on Sky doing commentary on a game,” he said, explaining that it was meant in jest.
Critically, Butt also suggested the defender needs thicker skin if he intends to remain at Old Trafford, stating, “F****** grow up,” but emphasising there was no personal animosity towards the Argentine.
As the saga unfolds, it underlines the complex relationship between former players and current stars, where opinions and performance continually intertwine, reminding fans that the sport continues to be as much about personalities as it is about talent on the pitch.
