Moyes wants former club to let Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines join United.
David Moyes has urged Everton to allow Manchester United targets Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines to leave after claiming he would not have stood in the pair’s way if he was still in charge at Goodison Park.
United had a £28m joint bid rejected by Everton last week, with the Toffees labelling the offer “derisory”.
Moyes, who spent 11 years on Merseyside before succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, has urged his successor Roberto Martinez not to stand in the players’ way if they want to move.
“I definitely (have sympathy for Martinez),” Moyes told Sky Sports.
“But I also know if I had been Everton manager and Sir Alex (Ferguson) had come asking for Baines and Fellaini I’d have found it very difficult to keep them.
“I always thought the right thing to do was the right thing for players.”
Everton were reportedly left furious by United’s bid for the duo, which valued Belgium international Fellaini at £16m – less than Moyes paid Standard Liege for the player in 2008 – and Baines at £12m.
But the United boss defended the offers, claiming the transfer market is volatile and unpredictable.
“There’s a mixed market at the moment. Nobody’s quite sure where the price is just now,” added the Scotsman.
“We’ve had offers for players which we think are quite small. I can see where other clubs might be thinking there’s not enough value for their players as well.
“There is no disrespect whatsoever. I respect Everton greatly and speak with (chairman) Bill Kenwright most weeks.”
COMMENTS