Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez appeared to respond to criticism from former club legend Paul Scholes following United's commanding 2-0 victory over rivals Manchester City on January 17, 2026. Ahead of the highly anticipated Manchester Derby, Scholes, alongside Nicky Butt, had publicly questioned Martinez's physical suitability to contend with City's prolific striker Erling Haaland on 'The Good, The Bad & The Football' podcast. Butt had suggested Haaland would 'pick Martinez up and run with him,' with Scholes adding that Haaland 'would score then throw him in the net,' mocking Martinez's stature rather than his defensive capabilities. However, Martinez delivered an impressive performance in the derby, contributing significantly to Manchester United keeping a clean sheet and effectively neutralizing Haaland throughout the match. Following the 2-0 win, secured by goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu, Martinez was observed gesturing to the fans while leaving the pitch. This non-verbal communication was widely interpreted by supporters and media as a direct rebuttal to the pre-match doubts raised by Scholes and Butt, signifying that their 'opinions were too loud' after he had proven his capabilities. This incident is not the first time Martinez has reacted to Scholes' comments. In February 2025, Martinez directly hit back on social media after Scholes claimed he was 'not good enough to win the Premier League even when fit,' writing: 'This jinx guy is really hurting.... You put him in Argentina, and he wouldn't survive.' The latest response, occurring after a crucial derby win, highlights the ongoing tension between current players and former club legends' punditry.