United in battle for Baines
The Spaniard described the 28-year-old defender as “phenomenal” and said the standard he had produced over the last couple of years made him the best left-back in the country.
Everton last week turned down a £12 million bid from United after former Toffees boss David Moyes returned to his old club in an attempt to cherry-pick one of their prized assets.
While that offer was rebuffed, the Old Trafford club are expected to come back with a significantly-improved figure, but Everton have stressed Baines is not for sale and want him to extend his contract beyond the existing two years he has remaining.
Baines is about to enter his seventh year at Goodison Park and Martinez believes the Kirkby-born player has become the standard bearer for everything the club represents.
“Leighton is a phenomenal performer and has become a very consistent player for Everton,” he said. “A lot of people get upset when other clubs show interest in their players but I feel it is a compliment.
“Leighton is vital for our future and what we are going to achieve at the club.
“The level that he has been reaching over the last few years consistently shows me that he is the best left-back in the country.”
Martinez is focusing on making additions to his squad, not worrying about potential departures.
The Spaniard is keen to bring in the right characters and while he insists he will not be rushed in that search, two arrivals are imminent.
Deals for his former Wigan players Arouna Kone and Antolin Alcaraz are almost done.
Striker Kone is likely to cost the Toffees £5m but centre-back Alcaraz will arrive on a free transfer once his contract has been finalised.
“They are players that I know really, really well. I worked with them really closely and they are players that are used to the Premier League and the British game,” he said.
“I think we need to bring in three or four new faces — one per unit (goalkeeper, defence, midfield and up front) and make sure we get an extra option or dimension into the squad.”
United, meanwhile, clearly face a fight to land Baines, while it now seems unlikely Cristiano Ronaldo will make a sensational return to Old Trafford. Ronaldo yesterday admitted he misses United and English football but insisted he is happy with life at Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old Portugal captain has been strenuously linked with a return to Old Trafford this summer where he spent six-years before moving to the Berbabeu for a world record £80m in 2009.
Ronaldo won eight trophies and scored over 100 goals in his time with United and while conceding he is still emotionally attached to the club, he insists he is happy with life in Spain.
“I miss English football,” said Ronaldo. “For me, it was one of the best years in my career when I was there in Manchester United. Everyone knows that it is a club that is still in my heart and I really, really miss.
“But now my life is in Spain. I am enjoying playing there too.”
Ronaldo wouldn’t rule out a return to Manchester.
“Part of my life is there, but in the future we never know,” Ronaldo said.
“I am really, really happy in the Spanish league.”
Want-away striker Wayne Rooney was back at United’s training ground in Carrington yesterday after his summer break.
Rooney verbally requested a transfer in May, according to former manager Alex Ferguson, and Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris St-Germain have all been linked with a summer move for the player.
Rooney is reportedly set to hold talks with Moyes about his future this week, but he left Carrington three hours after arriving having undergone medical tests and a fitness assessment with no clarity having been brought on his future.
