Lisandro Martinez’s spat with Scholes and Butt set for fresh twist | OneFootball

Manchester United’s dressing room is reportedly growing tired of the noise surrounding the club, but one recent flashpoint is now threatening to drag on.

According to the Daily Mail, the public spat between Lisandro Martinez and Class of ’92 figures Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt could now get ugly.

Scholes and Butt first caused a stir before the Manchester Derby by joking about the Argentina international’s height on their podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Football.

Martinez responded after Man United’s derby win, with the 28-year-old defender daring Scholes to repeat the comments to his face. He also pointed out that the tone changes when ex-players meet the squad at Old Trafford.

The pair then replied on their latest show, with Butt insisting it was “banter” while Scholes remarked that players need thicker skin to play for Man United.

Why this could get even worse

The Daily Mail states there is now another complication on the way. Butt has reportedly signed up to a new social media platform called Peek, with Scholes also said to be amongst other United names linked to it.

The platform is described as offering a share of profits for posting opinions, encouraging “shorter and snappier” content – but this is exactly why it could prove problematic.

Earnings being tied to engagement means that the incentive is to keep producing ‘hot takes’. This feud is also the kind of topic that can be recycled repeatedly across different social media outlets.

Essentially, it gives both Scholes and Butt a reason to keep commenting in the obtuse manner they already have. This makes it harder for the situation to cool down quickly and saner heads to prevail.

How the squad are said to feel

The Daily Mail claims insiders have pointed out Martinez actually responded calmly when asked about the jokes after the derby.

The report also suggests there is frustration that criticism from ex-players and pundits can feel like “kicking the club when they are down” in order to draw attention. The squad accept constructive critiques, but there is a sense the external commentary is becoming personal.

The Daily Mail adds that the constant volume of it creates negativity around the group and increases pressure on the team.

It remains to be seen whether United attempt to resolve the issue behind the scenes. However, if Butt and Scholes move their opinions to a platform designed to reward hot takes, the club will not have heard the last of this one.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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