Martinez Calls Out Scholes as United Legend Accepts House Visit Challenge

The Manchester United defender has put his money where his mouth is after taking umbrage at comments from two club legends ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby.

Scholes and Butt had taken aim at Martinez's prospective matchup against Erling Haaland during an appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. Butt painted a particularly vivid picture, suggesting the Norwegian striker would "pick Martinez up and run with him" in the manner of "a dad at school running down the road with a little toddler".

Scholes wasn't content to leave it there, warning that Haaland would "score, then throw him in the net" and expressing his dread at seeing "Martinez against Haaland" unfold on the pitch.

Rather than let the remarks slide, Martinez has challenged the punditry brigade to back up their criticism in person. The centre-back suggested that former players are remarkably comfortable dishing out criticism from the studio but far less willing to do so face-to-face.

"No, honestly, he can say whatever he wants," Martinez declared. "I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don't care."

Remarkably, Scholes has taken the bait. The former midfielder responded via Instagram with a cheeky acceptance: "Someone's had a good game. Was really happy for you… Tea, no sugar pls."

The United defender went on to elaborate on his broader frustration with punditry culture at Old Trafford, where legends such as Scholes, Roy Keane, and Gary Neville have long wielded sharp tongues on television.

"I think, for me, I respect it when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on television," Martinez explained. "But when you see them here face to face, no one says anything. So for me, I don't really care what they say."

He stressed that outside criticism holds no sway over his mentality or performance levels. "No, nothing. It doesn't give me anything. My motivation is my family. That's it," he said. "People always say whatever they want – it's something I can't control. What I can do is show it on the pitch, and I think today I showed it."

Martinez's focus remains firmly on the collective mission at United. "Imagine if we had to think about what people say. We have to stay focused for this club. We want to change this situation, and we are the only ones who can change it."