“Little toddler”: United legends mock fan favourite Red Devil before derby

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt’s recent comments about Lisandro Martinez have stirred up controversy. The Red Devils are preparing to face bitter rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Saturday, 17 January, in the Premier League.

The Cityzens are second in the league table after 21 games, with 13 wins and four defeats to their name. Meanwhile, United sit seventh in the league, 11 points behind City, having registered eight league wins this season.

The Red Devils are also going through a managerial upheaval; Ruben Amorim was removed from his position at the beginning of January and Michael Carrick was appointed caretaker manager for the rest of the season earlier this week.

The Englishman is set to begin his second stint at Old Trafford with the daunting task of stopping City. Pep Guardiola’s side have strengthened their attack this month by signing Antoine Semenyo, but there is no denying that Erling Haaland remains their main man.

United have to stop Haaland

Haaland has already registered 26 goals from 29 games in all competitions this season, including 20 goals in 21 Premier League games. The Norwegian is eyeing his third Golden Boot since arriving at the Etihad in the summer of 2022, and on Saturday, Carrick will have to find a way to keep him quiet.

United have already conceded 32 goals in the Premier League this season, the second-highest after Bournemouth (40) among the top 15 teams in the league. The defence remains a cause for concern and Matthijs de Ligt’s absence has not helped either.

As things stand, Lisandro Martinez could partner Leny Yoro in a four-man backline this weekend. However, Scholes and Butt have expressed concern about the Argentine defender’s ability to deal with the Norwegian.

Scholes and Butt’s controversial conversation

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, as cited by The Daily Mail, Butt and Scholes expressed concerns about United’s backline and picked out Martinez as the weak link.

Butt said: “I think if United get the injuries back – as in Maguire, De Ligt and them kind of players – then we’ve got a chance. But I just feel with the younger players, they’ve done brilliantly – Heaven’s been unbelievable to be fair – but I wouldn’t like to see them against Haaland.”

Scholes intervened, adding: “Martinez against Haaland,” followed by a wince.

To which Butt responded: “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 concluded: “He’d score, then throw him in the net.”

Haaland’s record against Martinez

The United legends’ comments caused outrage among fans, and quite rightly so. Haaland has faced Martinez six times in his career, including one during their time with Dortmund and Ajax respectively.

The Norwegian managed just two wins, including one on penalties, and lost the other four games. He scored three goals in those encounters, all of which came during City’s 6-3 demolition of United in the 2022/23 season. Martinez, meanwhile, managed to shut Haaland out on the other five occasions.

Erling Haaland Career Stats vs Lisandro Martinez

Source: Transfermarkt.

Final Thoughts

After the 2023/24 FA Cup final which United won 2-1 against City, Pep Guardiola said: “Lisandro Martinez is top 5 center-backs on the world. He made the difference on this game by playing passes through our defence.”

The Argentine remains one of the Red Devils’ most important players and certainly deserves more respect from club legends.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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