Martinez unconcerned by Moyes reception

Roberto Martinez has played down the importance of David Moyes facing Everton for the first time since leaving for Manchester United.

The reigning champions welcome Everton to Old Trafford on Wednesday, Moyes going up against the club he managed in an 11-year spell before replacing Alex Ferguson in July.

Moyes departed the Merseyside outfit on good terms, although his relationship with the Everton supporters is sure to have been tested by United’s purchase of midfielder Marouane Fellaini and failed pursuit of left-back Leighton Baines.

But Martinez is unconcerned by the reception Moyes will receive from the Everton supporters, and believes the role of the two managers will be insignificant in the fixture.

“Football is not about the managers,” he said. “It’s about the players and the institutions. The two clubs facing each other is going to make it a great game.

“I don’t think that (fans reaction to Moyes) is something that I spend much time (thinking) about. I think David Moyes did a fantastic job over the last 11 years and that is what I want to keep.

“Everything else that has happened are normal situations which would occur in football.

“From our point of view I will always look at Everton in terms of getting stronger and progressing internally and on the pitch and I think we have done that in the last five months.”

Martinez has enjoyed a solid start to his tenure at Everton, guiding the club to fifth position with 24 points from 13 fixtures this term.

But the Spaniard warned his charges to “respect” United, and warned the squad will have to perform to the best of their ability to claim a maximum haul at Old Trafford for the first time since August 1992.

“We pay huge respect to the champions,” he added. “You don’t win this league unless you’ve got something special. And we have to be at our best.

“They are the champions and we’ll have to be well aware of their threat. It’s a game where we need to perform well.”