The Argentine defender was outstanding in Manchester United’s derby win, but Scholes and Nicky Butt suggested before the game that he would struggle against Erling Haaland.
Lisandro Martinez beats Erling Haaland in Manchester United’s derby win (Image: Getty Images)
Paul Scholes was previewing the Manchester derby with his old friend Nicky Butt when he hinted that Lisandro Martinez might have to face Erling Haaland. And Scholes simply puffed out his cheeks in exasperation, implying that the contest was one-sided and not in the Manchester United man’s favor.
Butt joined in the fun, saying: “Haaland used to pick up Martinez and run with him.” “He’ll score and then put it in the net,” Scholes laughed.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. And after Martínez, with the help of his central defensive partner Harry Maguire, dominated Haaland to the point where the Manchester City striker was replaced by Josep Guardiola, the Argentine defender made his feelings clear about the criticism he often receives from the former United player.
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“Honestly, he (Scholes) can say whatever he wants to say. He’s already told me that if you want to say something to me, you can come anywhere,” Martinez said.
“Anywhere, to my house. I don’t care. Everyone can talk on TV, but sitting here across from each other, no one says anything to your face.
“So for me, I don’t really care what they say. I’m just focused on my performance and the team’s performance and I’ll give everything to this club until the last day.”
Lisandro Martinez says Michael Carrick has changed the atmosphere at Manchester United (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
There is clearly a growing feeling within the United squad that the negative feedback from former players is excessive and, in some cases, unwarranted. And before goals from Brian Mbeumo and Patrick Dawg gave United a memorable victory, Roy Keane once again questioned the appointment of Michael Carrick and his staff.
Carrick responded in the best way possible, choosing a team that had no problems at all against City and threatened to score almost every time a counter-attack was launched. And Martinez explained how, 14 months after Ruben Amorim, Carrick has already changed the atmosphere on the training ground.
Martínez said: “It’s completely different, it’s completely different. The mentality is different, the man is different. He knows what this club really means. He sent us a message that he has been here for a long time. He has won everything. He has won everything.”
Brian Mbeumo scores the first of Manchester United’s two goals in the derby win (Image: DARREN STAPLES, AFP via Getty Images)
“He’s a big legend. He wants to help the club. I think we were in a tough situation and today was a great moment to change that.
“Today’s team was different. It was different. When you have a coach like Michael Carrick who can really understand and share the energy of the club and what that means, it makes a big difference.”
But as the excitement at Old Trafford subsided a little, Martinez was at pains to remind everyone that this kind of performance should be the norm for a team of United’s stature. It shouldn’t be a one-time thing.
Erling Haaland did not impress much against Lisandro Martinez and was substituted late in the game (Image: Getty Images)
“Today is the standard for this club. It’s about connection. It’s about how we represent them (the fans) on the pitch. If they see us fighting like we did today, they’ll be with us,” he said.
“I focus on performance, connecting with people, connecting with the team. You can see that today, but I don’t think they’re taking shots on goal. One shot, well, just one shot.”
“You can feel the mentality. You can feel something different. I’m very happy. It feels great.”
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