Paul Scholes has hit back at Lisandro Martinez following the Manchester United defender's fiery response to criticism from the Old Trafford legend. Martinez challenged Scholes to confront him face-to-face at his home after the former Red Devils midfielder's remarks ahead of the Manchester derby.
The ex-England international appears more than willing to take up the offer. He posted on his Instagram: "Someone's had a good game, was really happy for you... Tea, no sugar pls @lisandromartinezzz". Martinez delivered a commanding performance in Michael Carrick's debut match as manager, securing a clean sheet alongside Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw. The thoroughly deserved 2-0 triumph left Martinez in no mood to ignore remarks from United legends afterwards.
When questioned by journalists following United's commanding derby victory, the Argentina international was asked to respond to observations made by Nicky Butt and Scholes.
Martinez 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 wherever he wants. 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."
Paul Scholes and his ex-colleague Nicky Butt didn't exactly paint a rosy picture of Martinez's prospects against Erling Haaland. On The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Butt expressed his apprehension about watching United's young guns take on Haaland in the Manchester derby.
Scholes chimed in, saying "Martinez against Haaland," followed by a grimace. Butt quipped: "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?".
Scholes added: "He'd score, then throw him in the net."
Haaland, however, was kept relatively quiet and was substituted late into the match as United ran out deserved winners.