David Moyes raised the stakes in his battle with Everton for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini by hinting his old club should sell the pair for the good of their careers.
Everton have been outspoken in their criticism of Moyes and Manchester United since the Barclays Premier League champions submitted a joint bid of £28million for the Goodison Park stars.
They described the offer as ‘derisory’ and Everton manager Roberto Martinez has suggested United behaved better in the past.
Asked on Friday if he had sympathy for Martinez, Moyes said: ‘I definitely do. But I also know that if I was the Everton manager and Sir Alex had come asking for Baines and Fellaini, I would have found it very difficult to keep them.
'I always felt the right thing to do was what was right for the players.
‘All we can do is our job here. Roberto is in a new job and I am sure he will get to understand how Everton work. I know exactly how Everton work. I signed every player at Everton.
‘I respect Everton greatly and I don’t want to do anything that would in turn affect them.
‘Of course, taking their players would affect them but I am certainly only doing what I have to do in my job.’