Scholes and Butt Escalate Feud with Martinez, Urge Him to 'Grow Up'

Former Manchester United players Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have intensified their verbal spat with the club's defender Lisandro Martinez. Following Martinez's challenge to Scholes to discuss his criticisms in person, Butt retorted that the Argentine should 'grow up' and learn to handle criticism. The dispute began when Scholes and Butt mocked Martinez's height before his encounter with Erling Haaland, suggesting the Norwegian could overpower him. Scholes revealed that he had previously contacted Martinez on social media and shared his phone number but received no response. Butt defended their comments as 'tongue-in-cheek' and a 'figure of speech,' stating that Martinez's emotional reaction was unwarranted. He emphasized that as a player for a major football club like Manchester United, one must develop a thicker skin to cope with constant criticism. Scholes commended Martinez's performance in the 2-0 win over City but expressed lingering doubts about the player's ability to consistently deliver. He warned that Martinez's outspoken behavior could backfire, citing the unpredictable nature of the sport. Butt questioned Martinez's mental toughness, drawing from his own experience as a young player when he and his 'Class of 92' teammates were criticized by Alan Hansen, who said 'you can't win anything with kids.' Butt reflected that this experience taught him to cope with criticism and prove doubters wrong.