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Moyes: Martinez reaping rewards from my work

David Moyes returns to Goodison Park on Sunday for the first time since leaving for Manchester United © PA Photos

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David Moyes believes Roberto Martinez is flourishing at Everton because of the strong foundations he left behind at Goodison Park.

After receiving a fond farewell from Everton fans in his final home match last May, Moyes is set for a hostile reception when he returns on Sunday for the first time since taking over Manchester United.

However he has told those supporters that they and Martinez are benefiting from the Everton legacy he built in his 11 years on Merseyside.

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"They have some really good players and they have gone on again. Great credit to Roberto but he has a group of players who were always capable of moving up the league," said Moyes.

"Don't forget Everton finished above Liverpool last year, and the year before. So it was a great achievement. In a way it should not be a surprise they are doing well. They've been in seventh or eighth place for most seasons recently.

"We also finished in the Champions League [in 2005]. Hopefully in time everyone will look at it and say it was a really good period in Everton's history.

"He's picked up a really good group of players, there's some top senior players there. There has always been a chain of young players ready to go in the team and I think that's helped. We had a great recruitment department, a brilliant staff, all round the club. All those people have helped. It's a well-run club."

Moyes drew the ire of Everton fans with his summer-long pursuit of Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, only the former of which he managed to take to United for a fee of £27.5 million.

Some Everton fans also believe Moyes knew he was leaving for United a lot sooner than he let on.

He was subjected to boos by the visiting support when Everton won 1-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season, yet believes any feelings of disgruntlement will have now subsided.

When asked what Everton fans may have taken umbrage to, Moyes replied: "Possibly the way people see me leaving. Maybe people don't believe how it happened. I think there was animosity because of the players - we'd like to have bought a couple of them. But lots of United players go to Everton - so there is a reverse.

"I went to see Everton on Saturday against Sunderland [away]. I've not been back to Goodison. I've just felt that it wasn't the right time to go back at this moment. Time is big healer as well. It is nearly a year since I probably only found out about the opportunity [to join United], it was about May 1 - April 28th, something like that."

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