In this latest news, the current side of Manchester United is having a complicated relationship with the Class of 92.
The Relationship Between the Class of 92 And Manchester United
There has been a recent back and forth involving Lisandro Martinez, Nicky Butt, and Paul Scholes. This sums up why **Man United**’s relationship with the Class of 92 still feels uneasy. On The Good, The Bad, The Football podcast, Butt and Scholes made some comments on the Argentine defender. They joked before the Manchester derby that Erling Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him at Old Trafford. That comment was not meant to harm, but it landed hard.
After United’s 2-0 win over Man City in the PL, Martinez responded publicly. He was clearly unhappy with the remark. Although, Butt and Scholes later praised Martinez for his display. However, they questioned why he felt the need to answer back.
This moment matters because it shows how fragile the line has become between former heroes and current players. The Class of 92 are not distant legends. They are vocally and deeply connected to the club’s daily life. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, and Gary and Phil Neville made 3,448 appearances for Man Utd. They were the backbone of Sir Alex Ferguson’s second great side. That was the team that won the Treble in 1999 and set standards that still define the club.
Because of that history, their words carry weight. When they speak, players listen even if they do not agree. What once might have been dressing room banter now travels instantly through podcasts and social media. For a modern Premier League squad trying to rebuild confidence, those voices can feel like pressure rather than guidance.
🚨 Paul Scholes REPLIES to Lisandro Martínez on Instagram after he accused him of only speaking about him online…
"Someone's had a good game, was really happy for you… Tea, no sugar pls ☕️" pic.twitter.com/GEqYuhS0bh
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 18, 2026
Coaching Roots, Academy Pride, And Quiet Acts Of Loyalty
The influence of the Class of 92 did not end when they retired. Giggs stepped in as interim manager for four games after David Moyes was dismissed in 2014. He had already worked as a coach and then as assistant manager under Louis van Gaal.
During that period, Butt, Scholes, and Phil Neville were also part of the coaching team. Their presence shaped training ground strategies. They brought in ideas about what Man United should look like.
Nicky Butt’s role went even deeper. Before joining the senior staff, he worked as a youth coach. After that, he was appointed head of the academy in 2016 as well. That was a position that he held until 2021. Few people understand United’s tradition of bringing young players through better than him. It is something he cares about for the club.
On 15 December, he chose to coach underprivileged children in Moss Side. He did the work on behalf of Sir Bobby Charlton’s Foundation on a rainy night. That happened even though United were playing Bournemouth in the Premier League just hours later. That said, his choice spoke louder than any words.
Although, tensions has followed him too. Butt strongly objected when a club official suggested youth development was about more than winning. More recently, he said the club was planning to cancel his season tickets. These moments show an increasing gap. There seems a difference in how the Class of 92 see Man Utd’s identity and how the modern club actually operates. The loyalty is still there, but it is being tested throughout. The relationship is emotional and proud. It sometimes gets dented as well, especially when tradition clashes with new ideas.
Opinions, Power, And The Noise Around Old Trafford
Three days before Butt’s appearance with the Foundation, Gary Neville was at Old Trafford as United announced plans to become a campus for UA92 University. It was founded by the Class of 92 in 2019. It was another sign that the bond between club and former players remains strong. Their opinions are still welcomed, especially because they care about the club so deeply. At the same time, those opinions are often blunt and the negative ones travel fastest.
In October, Ryan Giggs attended the Training Ground conference at Old Trafford and spoke about Ruben Amorim. The former skipper suggested few things about Amorim’s use of wide players on their weaker side. It was a technical point, but it added to public debate around the team.
Meanwhile, matchdays bring more voices. Hotel Football, part owned by members of the Class of 92 and located just 50 yards from Old Trafford, hosts regular speakers and discussions. Even the hotel once caused an issue. Man United once tried to stop its construction before later using it themselves.
Then there is Gary Neville as a pundit. On Sky Sports, on Stick to Football, or in commentary, he is rarely quiet. Former head coach Ruben Amorim once suggested senior figures at United listened too closely to Neville. Whether that is fair or not, it shows how powerful these voices remain until date. Though is not very different from Roy Keane, whose criticism of Michael Carrick was direct and personal. Given that, Neville was trusted by United to speak with his former team-mate and current interim manager. They spoke on camera in the Old Trafford tunnel before the derby.
That trust says everything about the relationship between the club and their legends. Manchester United cannot let go of the Class of 92, and perhaps they do not want to. However, their connection is still proud and noisy.
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