Manchester United’s relationship with the famous Class of ’92 remains complicated, as shown by a recent clash involving defender Lisandro Martinez and former players Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.
After joking on a podcast that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland would overpower Martinez before the derby, Butt and Scholes later praised the defender for his strong performance in United’s 2-0 win. However, they criticised Martinez for reacting angrily to their comments.
Martinez hit back after the game, saying critics talk on TV but say nothing face to face. Butt responded by saying players at a big club should not get so emotional about media criticism.
The exchange highlights the uneasy balance between Manchester United and the Class of ’92 — Ryan Giggs, Scholes, David Beckham, Butt, and Gary and Phil Neville — who were central to the club’s Treble-winning success in 1999.
Although many of them have worked for the club in coaching roles, youth development, media, or business ventures like UA92 University and Hotel Football, tensions have surfaced over criticism, media influence, and opinions on how the club is run.
Figures like Gary Neville regularly comment on United as pundits, sometimes frustrating club staff and players. While United officials insist the Class of ’92 remain part of the club’s family, players do not always ignore their criticism.
As Martinez’s reaction shows, the voices of the Class of ’92 still carry weight — and sometimes cause friction — at Old Trafford.
