Everton manager Roberto Martinez
does not want Wednesday's trip to
face Manchester United at Old
Trafford to be billed as a personal
battle between him and predecessor David Moyes.
The Spaniard replaced Moyes in the summer after the Scot ended his 11-year association with the club to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at United. Martinez, with his attacking style of football, has guided Everton into fifth just
three points behind second-placed
Chelsea. In contrast, Moyes has been perceived to be struggling at United, who are eighth in the league and nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
"I know that from the outside this is an attractive proposition to speak about the managers," said Martinez.
"But football is not about managers, it is about the players and the institutions and two football clubs with incredible tradition facing each other is going to be a great game.
"We pay huge respect to the champions - you don't win this league unless you have something special - and we will have to be at our best to compete but we have to be ourselves."
"We pay huge respect to the
champions - you don't win this
league unless you have something special."
Roberto Martinez
Asked how he thought Moyes was now perceived on Merseyside the Spaniard added: "I don't think that 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.
"It is not our style to look elsewhere (at other clubs and managers)."
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