Lisandro Martinez Responds To Butt And Scholes Over Toddler Remark Ahead Of City Derby

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Lisandro Martinez responds forcefully to criticism from Manchester United greats after helping secure a 2-0 derby victory over Manchester City. The defender plays a key part in Michael Carrick's game plan, limiting Erling Haaland to minimal involvement and extending Haaland's barren run from open play in league competitions across Europe's top five leagues.

The Manchester derby on Saturday ends with Haaland restricted to just 14 touches, only two inside Manchester United's penalty box. The Norwegian forward now goes seven consecutive matches without a non-penalty goal for City or former club Borussia Dortmund, making this the longest such sequence of Haaland's career in Europe's leading domestic divisions.

Before the match, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes deliver blunt assessments on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. Butt likens Lisandro Martinez to a toddler and claims Haaland would lift and carry Martinez. Scholes goes further, predicting the striker would score and then "throw" Martinez into the net during the Manchester United versus Manchester City clash.

Asked about the comments made by Butt and Scholes after Saturday's derby, Martinez said: 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. 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 see them 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.

Key numbers from the Manchester United win over Manchester City underline Martinez's influence and the wider impact on Pep Guardiola's record against the club.

There is a loud and intense atmosphere inside Old Trafford throughout the derby, with Manchester United now handing Pep Guardiola 10 defeats during Guardiola's managerial career, matching Tottenham and Liverpool. Reflecting on the noise and backing from the stands, Martinez highlights how performances on the pitch shape the bond with Manchester United supporters.

It is about the connection, Martinez said of United's fans. It's about how we represent them on the pitch. If they see us fighting like [that], they will be with us. If sometimes our performance wasn't the best, because they expect a good attitude from us, tackles, the DNA, the blood of Manchester United. And I can really understand because sometimes it's like 'what are we doing here?'

Martinez's display against Manchester City, the response to public criticism, and the reaction from Manchester United fans combine to frame a significant derby. The defender stresses commitment to the club until the final day, while Guardiola's record, Haaland's struggles and the Old Trafford atmosphere add further context to a controlled 2-0 victory.