History could yet end up repeating itself after slated , who may now be at risk of following down 's undeseriable path.

The Brazilian flop was sent out on loan to in January, having engaged in a public spat with legend Scholes in the past. It was not long after Antony's arrival at Old Trafford for a whopping £82m in 2022 that Scholes referred to the Brazilian as "a clown" for showboating while drawing 0-0 against Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol in the .

During an appearance on TNT Sports (then BT Sport), Scholes said: "I don't think this country likes to see that. Does any country, even Brazil? Brazil don't want to see that, do they? Ajax, in Holland, do they want to see that? I like to see skill, but I just don't think that is skill or entertainment. That is just being a clown, isn't it?"

Antony, 24, clapped back at the club legend on social media and wrote: "We're known for our art, and I won't stop doing what brought me to where I am!"

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And history could well be repeated in Martinez's case after the World Cup-winner in the recent home defeat to . Scholes has not been convinced by the player even when 100% fit, as he said on the The Overlap Fan Debate, via Sky Bet: "Even when he [Martínez] is fit, he’s not good enough to win the with."

Clearly disgruntled by those comments, the crocked defender retorted by suggesting Scholes wouldn't last in his native Argentina. Certain sections of South American football have a reputation for being particularly aggressive, though some would argue the English scene gives any other a run for its money.

"This jinx guy is really hurting," wrote Martinez in an online post following his injury. "You put him in Argentina, and he wouldn’t survive."

Of course there's no tangible link between Antony firing back at Scholes before being loaned out more than two years later. But the superstitious out there (as well as any PR tacticians) may not advise it's a good idea to bite back when confronted by club royalty – no matter how divisive their opinion may be.

To his credit, Martinez had been largely omnipresent for United this season and featured as one of the Red Devils' more consistent defenders prior to his season-ending blow.

And the coming weeks and months will serve as a barometer of just how easily the team can cope without his talents at the back. Up next for United is a trip to fellow strugglers on Sunday.

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