Lisandro Martinez hits back at Man Utd legend Paul Scholes after stinging criticism

Lisandro Martinez has hit back at criticism from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, saying the former midfielder ‘wouldn’t survive’ in Argentina. Scholes is not a huge fan of a number of current Red Devils stars, recently suggesting the club should be looking to sell eight players as they look to rebuild to former glories. Some of those players were predictable, with the likes of already loaned-out Antony and Marcus Rashford included, but more surprisingly Scholes suggested getting rid of Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.

The Argentinian centre-back is currently sidelined with a serious knee injury which will keep him out for the rest of the season, but Scholes is not sure it is a great loss to the team. Speaking on the The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet: ‘Even when he’s fit he’s not good enough to win the Premier League with.’. Resonding to the stinging criticism on social media, Martinez wrote: ‘This ‘mufa’ is really hurting….You put him in Argentina, and he wouldn’t survive.’.

His reply was in his native Spanish, with ‘mufa’ a colloquial term in Argentina for someone who brings bad luck. Scholes does not see many positives in the heart of Manchester United’s defence, not even convinced by teenage prospect Leny Yoro, although he would give him more time to prove himself, while axing other defenders, especially De Ligt. ‘His (De Ligt’s) age (25) and his amount of clubs already concerns me. He was brilliant at Ajax, he seems to be getting worse as he gets older. Bayern Munich, Juventus, they’ve let him go for some reason,’ said Scholes.

‘Where are your ambitions? I’m talking about getting a team to win the Premier League. Are you going to win the Premier League with De Ligt and Yoro as your centre halves?. ‘You (a fan) said you think they’re quite good. Is quite good good enough?. ‘Look, he [Yoro] is a young player, but I haven’t liked what I’ve seen so far. Did you see the Southampton game? He’s a young player, he’s one centre half I would keep, when I talk about that spine and two centre halves.’.

Martinez is set to be sidelined for the rest of this season and likely some of the next campaign as well after the serious knee injury he picked up against Crystal Palace. A statement from Manchester United last week read: ‘Manchester United can confirm that Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury to his cruciate ligament in Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace. ‘Assessment of the injury is ongoing to determine the appropriate course of treatment and the timescale for his rehabilitation.

‘Everyone at Manchester United wishes Lisandro Martinez strength for a successful recovery and we will be supporting him every step of the way.’. Arrow MORE: Everton vs Liverpool: Confirmed team news, predicted lineups and injuries. Arrow MORE: Jamie Carragher blasts ‘ridiculous’ Man City over Vinicius Jr banner. Arrow MORE: Wayne Rooney criticises ‘strange’ Man City transfer decision after Real Madrid defeat.