Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has declined to apologize for his recent criticism of defender Lisandro Martinez, despite acknowledging that his choice of words could have been better. The comments, made during an episode of The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, suggested that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland would overpower Martinez due to their physical size difference.
This sparked a significant backlash from Martinez, particularly following Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City, where he challenged Scholes to discuss the issue in person. Despite the controversy, Scholes reiterated his stance during a discussion on Sky Bet’s The Overlap Fan Debate on January 23, 2026.
Scholes Reflects on Controversial Comments
“I didn’t realize I had so many Argentinian friends,” Scholes remarked, alluding to the reaction his comments received. He acknowledged that while the essence of their critique may have some validity—recognizing a physical mismatch—he also admitted that the manner in which he expressed it was not ideal.
“It’s not something we like doing. We obviously want to see the team winning every single week,” he stated. Scholes emphasized that their intention was to speak their minds, reflecting a growing trend of transparency among commentators and fans alike.
He went on to evaluate Martinez’s performance, noting that he had “one good game” against City but referenced prior struggles against teams like Brighton and Burnley. “Look at the week before against Burnley. He gave the goal away against Burnley,” Scholes pointed out, urging that consistent performance is essential going forward.
Future Prospects for Manchester United
In addition to discussing Martinez, Scholes shared his thoughts on the managerial landscape at Manchester United. He mentioned that former teammate Michael Carrick could be a viable candidate for a long-term managerial position if he leads the team to a top-four finish in the league.
“Harry Maguire, I thought he was good next to Martinez as well,” Scholes noted, recognizing the positive contributions of players returning from international duties. However, he cautioned that success could lead to heightened expectations from fans, referencing the previous situation with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“What will they need to do for the United fans to demand him staying for next year?” Scholes asked, highlighting the potential for history to repeat itself if the club does not learn from past decisions.
As Manchester United navigates a critical phase in their season, Scholes’s comments serve to illustrate the pressures faced by players and management alike, as well as the passionate discourse that surrounds the club. The spotlight remains on Lisandro Martinez to deliver consistent performances as the team seeks to regain its competitive edge.
