On Saturday, January 17, 2026, Lisandro Martinez, an Argentine footballer playing for Manchester United, confronted former United midfielder Paul Scholes over criticism he received prior to the Manchester derby. Scholes, along with former teammate Nicky Butt, had made light-hearted comments suggesting that Erling Haaland could easily overpower Martinez, who is significantly shorter. The exchange occurred in the lead-up to a game that took place at Old Trafford, where Martinez, along with Harry Maguire, managed to keep Haaland quiet, contributing to United's 2-0 victory. Martinez expressed his disappointment with Scholes and Butt's remarks, stating that if they had something to say, they should confront him directly rather than speaking behind his back. He insists that their comments do not serve as motivation for him, as his primary motivation derives from his family. The decorated defender received praise from Scholes for his performance in the match but was also cautioned that he must learn to handle criticism if he wishes to thrive at a major football club like Manchester United. Scholes acknowledged the extraordinary performance Martinez delivered during the derby but maintained his skepticism regarding Martinez's ability to consistently perform at a top level, suggesting that it remains to be seen if he can withstand continued scrutiny throughout his career at the club. Butt added that Martinez’s reaction to their prior remarks raised questions about his mentality, indicating that professional footballers should be able to shrug off jokes made in the media and focus on proving critics wrong. The discussion around the match highlighted both the pressures faced by players in the spotlight of a major club and the complex relationship between modern players and former greats who share opinions publicly.