Ask Onix
Martinez shuts down pundit jibes with derby heroics
Lisandro Martinez delivered a defiant response to pre-match taunts by helping Manchester United secure a 2-0 victory over Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League derby, marking a perfect start for interim coach Michael Carrick.
Haaland neutralized as United dominate
Martinez, 28, played a pivotal role in containing Erling Haaland, who was substituted in the 80th minute as City failed to score. The Argentine's performance earned United only their third clean sheet of a struggling season, capping a night where Pep Guardiola's side registered their second-lowest expected goals (xG) total under his management.
The win ended United's seven-game winless streak and provided a morale boost after a dismal campaign that has left them without European football and eliminated from both domestic cups. With just 40 games scheduled, this season will be their shortest since 1914-15.
Martinez fires back at Scholes and Butt
Before the match, former United midfielders Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes had mocked Martinez on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. Butt claimed Haaland would "pick Martinez up and run with him" like a "little toddler," while Scholes joked the striker would "throw him in the net" after scoring.
Martinez dismissed the comments with characteristic bluntness: "Honestly, he can say whatever he wants. If he wants to say something to me, he can come to my house. I don't care."
"Everyone can talk on television, but when you see them face to face, no one says anything. I just focus on my performance and the team."
Lisandro Martinez
Scholes later acknowledged Martinez's performance on Instagram, posting: "Someone's had a good game, was really happy for you," along with a playful "tea, no sugar" in response to the house invitation.
Carrick's dream debut
The victory was a redemption moment for United's caretaker manager, Michael Carrick, who took charge after the sacking of Ruben Amorim and a brief interim spell by under-18s coach Darren Fletcher. The win over City-United's first in seven matches-was hailed as a "perfect" start, with the team's intensity and crowd noise overwhelming Guardiola's side.
Martinez emphasized the importance of fan connection: "It's about how we represent them on the pitch. If they see us fighting like that, they'll be with us. They expect tackles, DNA, the blood of Manchester United."
What's next for United
With momentum restored, United will look to build on the derby win as they navigate a season stripped of European and cup football. Carrick's immediate challenge is maintaining consistency, while Martinez's defiant display may silence further criticism-at least until the next derby.
