Man Utd star calls out Paul Scholes and tells club legend to 'come to my house' after Man City win

Speaking after the match, Martinez declared: "Honestly, he can say whatever he wants.

"I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don't care."

The 5ft 9in defender added: "But when you sit here face to face, no one says anything in your face."

The criticism stemmed from Scholes and his former teammate Nicky Butt, who used their podcast The Good, The Bad and The Football to mock the World Cup winner's physical dimensions just days before the derby clash.

Scholes expressed doubt about Martinez's ability to cope with the towering Norwegian striker, suggesting United needed Matthijs De Ligt and Harry Maguire available instead.

Butt's assessment proved even more cutting, comparing the potential matchup to a parent carrying a small child: "Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him.

"It'll be like when you see a dad after school running down the road with a little toddler."

Scholes then added: "He'd score then throw him in the net."

Martinez's response on the pitch proved emphatic, with the defender affectionately known as The Butcher among United supporters producing a masterclass in defensive work.

Haaland, who had netted 20 times in 22 Premier League appearances this season, managed a mere 14 touches of the ball and failed to register a single shot against goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

The Argentine won every aerial challenge alongside defensive partner Maguire, while also succeeding in all his ground duels throughout the contest.

Martinez completed eight clearances as City were restricted to just one effort on target across the entire match.

Haaland endured such a frustrating afternoon that he was substituted in the 80th minute to jeers from the home crowd.

Martinez's dominance over the Norwegian extends well beyond this single encounter, with the striker failing to score in six of their seven meetings.

Their rivalry began during Martinez's time at Ajax when he faced Haaland's Borussia Dortmund, continuing through six further clashes since both arrived in Manchester.

Haaland's sole goals against Martinez came during City's 6-3 demolition of United in their treble-winning campaign, with the Argentine keeping him quiet in every other fixture.

The Norwegian has won just twice in seven games against Martinez, losing the remaining five.

Pep Guardiola previously described Martinez as the "difference" following United's 2-1 FA Cup final victory in 2024.

Jamie Carragher also famously retracted his concerns about Martinez's height being problematic in English football following his £56.4m arrival from Ajax.