EVERTON MANAGER Roberto Martinez is disappointed by Manchester United’s conduct in attempting to sign Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines.
United’s £28million joint offer for the Everton duo was dismissed instantly as ‘derisory and insulting’ with the bid valuing Baines at £12m and Fellaini at £16m — only £1m more than the club paid to prise the Belgian away from Standard Liege.
Martinez questioned Manchester United’s transfer tactics under new manager David Moyes, implying that the controversy would not have occurred under predecessor Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I don’t know if this is a new way of working but I have never seen Manchester United working in this manner before,” Martinez said.
“When you want a player you just do the business quietly, you get it done and that’s it.”
Martinez said he did not expect any further contact from United about the pair, saying the offer was nowhere near his valuation.
“I don’t expect a new bid. In fact, it wasn’t even a bid, because it never reached any sort of valuation,” Martinez said.
“Do we have a valuation? We are not talking about trying to feed a price for a player. I don’t want to sell. But what is clear is the market brings the valuation.
“And clearly, if you invest a certain amount in a player and that player is one of the outstanding performers in the league, then I’m sure that price has gone up.”
Despite the potential for the bid to unsettle Fellaini and Baines, Martinez believes their experience and professionalism will show through on the pitch.
“We’ve got very good professionals at the club and my relationship with them is that I like to be open, honest and respectful,” he said.
“They understand what Everton is to their careers and they would never be disrespectful to the club, the fans or anyone here.
“You can imagine that it’s something that’s going to make you think, but although it was a bit more information, it wasn’t really anything to think about.”
