Rio Ferdinand comes out in support of Lisandro Martinez amid feud with United legends

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has come out in support of Lisandro Martinez amid his ongoing feud with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

The Red Devils’ centre back has been exchanging words with Scholes and Butt, who mocked him before the Manchester derby.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said that the criticism against Martinez has gone beyond the limits.

"It's not beef, I think it's being made out to be beef. 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,” Ferdinand said.

“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.”

Martinez played the full 90 minutes in United’s Premier League game against Manchester City at Old Trafford, demonstrating his full match fitness.

The Argentine returned from ACL injury in November and has made 11 appearances across all competitions this season, and has struggled for form in recent times.

Butt and Scholes both predicted that Martinez would struggle against Erling Haaland in the Manchester derby.

"There’s every chance he [Haaland] will target him [Martinez], of course he will," Scholes said.

Butt added: "Haaland would pick Martinez up and run with him. It would be like when you see a dad at school running down the road like that with a little toddler, that’s what it would be like."

However, Manchester United’s defence was rock solid, defending excellently. At the same time, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu scored goals in the second half to help new interim manager Michael Carrick start his stint perfectly.

When Lisandro Martinez was asked about the criticism from United legends after the match, he responded, saying, "What I can do is show it on the pitch."

"You know people can always talk whatever they want, it’s something I can’t control. What I can only do is show it on the pitch. I think today I showed it. Imagine if we thought what the people said, it shows we have to be focused for the best of this club, we want to change this situation and we’re the only ones who can change it," Martinez said.

Following Lisandro Martinez's post-match comments, Scholes, during a “The Good, The Bad & The Football” podcast, told him to 'grow up' but also praised his performance.