Roberto Martinez has told David Moyes to stop talking
about Manchester United targets Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini.
United this week failed with a £28m double bid for the
Everton pair which was branded "derisory and insulting" by Moyes'
former club.
And the Scot further annoyed his successor by claiming in
an interview he would have "found it very difficult" to deny Baines
and Fellaini moves to Old Trafford if he was still in charge at Goodison Park.
It is not yet clear whether United will return with an improved
offer, but in the meantime both played in Everton's goalless draw with West
Brom on Saturday.
And afterwards Martinez offered a clear rebuke to Moyes
when he said: "If managers start talking about players registered with
other clubs that's the end of the whole thing.
"I think everyone should look after their own things
internally. I'm sure they've got many issues in the same manner.
"I could easily come out and give my opinion about
his players, but I think I'll be a bit more respectful than that."
"If managers start talking about players registered
with other clubs that's the end of the whole thing."
Martinez will continue to select Baines and Fellaini
while they remain at the club regardless of the speculation.
He said: "We are focusing on every game and know
there is going to be a lot of speculation every day because we are in the
transfer window, but that is for the outside.
"Internally, we are working every day with real
competition for places and just focusing on getting stronger as a team and
making sure we can perform as well as we can."
Moyes signed Baines for the Toffees from Wigan for
£6million in 2007 with Fellaini arriving from Standard Liege for £15million the
following year.
United's offer for them is reported to break down as
£12million for Baines and £16million for Fellaini, but Martinez does not
believe Moyes would have considered selling them for such a price.
He added: "Everyone has got a price (but) when you
invest money in a player and five years later you get offered the same money
after performing really well, that becomes a little bit of a nonsense.
"The last thing I want is to get into a media war
with a manager I really respect.
"As a new manager, I am following the structure we
have at the football club. I heard in the past that Everton never sold
cheap."
Everton boss Roberto Martinez refuses to respond to David
Moyes' comments about Manchester United targets Leighton Baines and Marouane
Fellaini.
Everton are now bracing themselves for an improved offer
from United for the pair but Martinez insists the club have never considered a
fee they might be prepared to sell at.
He said: "Remember that the position we have got is
we don't want to sell, so then you haven't got a figure.
"I am not going to go along with the circus the
transfer window can become. It has been a bit of a farce really."
Martinez had no problem with the club going public over
the matter after news of the bid had been reported in the media.
"The unfortunate matter is the offer was in the
paper before it was made," he said.
"They did waste their time. When you put an offer
that is below what you spend, I am sure you expect it to be rejected.
"That is a question you should put to the people who
put the offer in."
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