Rio Ferdinand has accused former Manchester United team-mates Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt of getting ‘personal’ in a row with current Red Devils defender Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez hit back at comments by Scholes and Butt mocking his size made prior to the Manchester derby, and dared the former Manchester United duo to repeat them to his face.
Scholes and Butt joked on their podcast ahead of United’s win in the Old Trafford tie that Martinez’s battle with Erling Haaland was such a mismatch that the 6ft 5in Manchester City striker would pick up the 5ft 9in United defender and throw him in the back of the net.
Afterwards, the Argentina defender criticised the pair for comments he claims they would never make in person when they see him around the club, and challenged them to visit his house to repeat them face-to-face.
Ferdinand, speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, has now given his verdict on the situation involving two of his former team-mates.
‘It’s not beef, I think it’s being made out to be beef,’ Ferdinand said. ‘This week I think there has been some stuff that has probably been just over borderline, personal.
‘I have spoken to Martinez a few times, online and in person, and he is someone who just wants to do well, win, get back to the standards Man United were at. He is eager to see that that looks like.
‘He has even invited me to go to the training ground, go and get a coffee – he is a sponge. The way he plays is the way I feel he is – he is an honest character and a good sort to have in the changing room.
‘He is within his rights, if something gets on his nerves… he has come out and said it. The way it has been taken I think needs some context. He is not saying, “Come and meet me anywhere and we will have a tear up” – he is saying, “Let’s have a conversation face to face is you have an issue”.
‘We are talking about a World Cup winner here, he knows how to win. I had a conversation with him after the game and he was quick and clear – we have a standard now and need momentum. What I would say is, when you are talking about people, if you feel you can say the same thing in front of them, then it is fair game.’
Martinez indicated that he has already made his feelings known to Scholes, saying: ‘Honestly, he can say whatever he wants. I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to me wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.
‘I respect when they want to help the club because everyone can talk on the television. But when you see (them) here face-to-face, no one says anything in your face.’
It prompted a swift response from Scholes who posted a message to Martinez on social media on Sunday, saying: ‘Someone’s had a good game, was really happy for you … tea, no sugar pls.’
Then, on Monday evening, the duo hit back again. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Butt said: ‘He was brilliant on the day. Fair play to him.’
He then added: ‘For me, we talk like lads having a conversation. It’s tongue in cheek. It’s f***ing obvious. I think when people get so upset about someone in the media or on a podcast… saying all that, it’s like, f***ing grow up.
‘If you’re going to get so emotional about someone saying something about you, you shouldn’t be at a football club, because he is going to get that for the rest of his career at Man United. There is no personal issue.’
Martinez brushed off the initial comments, saying: ‘I don’t really care what they say. People always say whatever they want, it’s something that I can’t control. What I can only do is to show on the pitch and I think today I showed it.
‘We have to be focused for the rest of this club. We want to change this situation and we are the only ones who can change it.’
Asked if the comments gave him extra motivation, he replied: ‘No, nothing. It doesn’t give me anything. My motivation is my family, that’s it.’
Ferdinand revealed he sets a limit when it comes to his punditry, and that he will happily admit if he has crossed a line.
The former England man referenced his public apology to Jones, which came in October 2024, when he discussed his career and told him to ‘find a new club’ before Jones himself publicly discussed his injury issues throughout his career.
‘I have always prided myself on never being personal,’ Ferdinand continued. ‘I can pick performances apart, form apart, the way people are playing, but me, as an individual and ex player at the club, I have always said I never want to be personal and I hope I have never been like that.
‘I have spoken about players being injured – Phil Jones I apologised to, because I felt like I was talking about stuff I wasn’t informed as I should have been on. I have always said I will come and speak to you, not a problem.’
