Lisandro Martinez responds to Paul Scholes criticism after Man Utd beat Man City

Lisandro Martinez was asked about comments from Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt after Manchester United’s win over Man City (Stadium Astro)

Lisandro Martinez dismissed criticism from Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt after Manchester United ’s 2-0 win against Manchester City at Old Trafford .

Second-half goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu sealed a deserved win for United in Michael Carrick ’s first game in charge.

Ahead of the derby against Pep Guardiola’s side, Martinez was on the receiving end of criticism from both Scholes and Butt, who suggested the World Cup winner would be unable to handle Erling Haaland .

Scholes said: ‘There’s every chance he [Haaland] will target him [Martinez], of course he will.’

Butt, meanwhile, said: ‘Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him. It would be like when you see a dad at school running down the road like that with a little toddler, that’s what it would be like.’

Pathetic from Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.THIS is not constructive criticism. It’s not even criticism. It’s pointlessly jabbing at one of United’s most important players ahead of a huge game on Saturday.(In 6 matches vs Martinez, Haaland has failed to score in 5 of them)… pic.twitter.com/ROLyc3qYv5 — Alex Turk (@TurkTalksFC) January 15, 2026

When asked about the comments from Scholes and Butt after United’s win against City, Martinez told Stadium Astro: ‘You know people can always talk whatever they want, it’s something I can’t control.

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‘What I can only do is show it on the pitch. I think today I showed it.

‘Imagine if we thought what the people said, it shows we have to be focused for the best of this club, we want to change this situation and we’re the only ones who can change it.’

Lisandro Martinez hailed Michael Carrick’s impact on the Manchester United players (Shutterstock)

Martinez also praised the quick impact that Carrick has made on the squad having only been appointed as United’s manager on Tuesday.

‘Three days… unbelievable,’ Martinez said.

‘First of all, play with the ball, don’t be scared of the ball, having composure with the ball, play with confidence.

‘We had to defend with our lives and when we play we had to play with confidence and I think we did it.

‘Three goals, with a minimal offside, I think we deserved this win. But what Carrick did with his staff was unbelievable, especially in a short time, that’s why I’m impressed about that.’