• Premier League

Martinez makes peace with Moyes

Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists sacked Manchester United manager David Moyes will bounce back in his next managerial role.

But his words of support represent a change of tune after Martinez had attacked his Goodison Park predecessor and guided his team to a 2-0 defeat of United which proved to be Moyes' last game in charge.

'The crazy rumours are starting'

Danny Welbeck could be heading for an exit at Old Trafford © Getty Images

• Roberto Martinez has played down reports that Everton are planning a summer move for Manchester United pair Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck.
• Welbeck has indicated that he is ready to leave Old Trafford this summer after becoming frustrated at a lack of central striking opportunities, while Cleverley spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Wigan Athletic, where Martinez was manager at the time.
• "Well, the crazy rumours are starting," Martinez said.
• "There's nothing to mention. What there is to mention is that we'll use the window to try to be stronger in terms of the squad, and we'll look at all the players available and the possibilities that we need."

"There has been a lot of talk over the matter," Martinez said." It is not a nice situation when a manager loses his job. We know Moyes will look forward to the next football chapter and the next experience. He is a strong man with a winning mentality and I am sure he will bounce back straight away.

"He has ensured he will be ready to get into another job as quick as he can. He won't have the lack of opportunities."

Martinez and Moyes became engaged in a war of words last weekend when the Everton manager took a swipe at the Scot's claim that his United squad were too weak, saying it was baseless.

Moyes responded by insisting Martinez was only flourishing at Everton because of the strong foundations he had put in place before he left for Old Trafford.

Since he replaced Moyes last summer, Martinez has impressed in steering his side into Champions League contention. Everton currently lie fifth in the Premier League with three games to go, a point behind Arsenal and a place in the top four.

United, by contrast, languish 12 points behind them in seventh place and will miss out on a place in Europe's top competition for the first time in 19 years.

David Moyes' self-help secrets

Manchester United sacked David Moyes on Tuesday © PA Photos

• David Moyes may have consulted a self-help book when he was still Manchester United manager, but Nick Atkin reveals why the Good to Great guide had the opposite effect.
• Click here to continue reading

Everton have Southampton, Manchester City and Hull left to play and Martinez believes nine points will secure a place in the top four.

"If we win our remaining games we will make the Champions League," Martinez said. "Since the Premier League started, the fourth place is won with well below 76 points.

"Only in one season have you needed that. If we win three games and reach 76 and don't get in the Champions League, we can be very, very happy."

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce also believes Moyes will return stronger, but feels the Scot should take some time out before returning to management.

"I wouldn't advise it sooner. I'd do later if I was him. It's been 15 years continuously, I think, maybe even longer," he said.

"I think time to stay with the family, time to reflect and time to enjoy life a little bit more without the pressures of particularly Premier League football would do him the world of good.

"Then when he emerges again he'll emerge a better manager than he already has been and he has been one hell of a manager."

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