Martinez: We don't fear United
Everton manager Roberto Martinez insists champions Manchester United hold no fear for his players and he will not compromise his side's style at Old Trafford.
The Spaniard's brand of attacking football has brought a new lease of life to the team since he took over from David Moyes, the man in the opposing dugout on Wednesday night.
In the last couple of weeks - in particular the thrilling 3-3 Merseyside derby and the 4-0 rout of Stoke - the Toffees have been relentless in their approach.
Martinez sees no reason why they cannot take that attitude to Old Trafford, a ground where they have not won since 1992, or even to league leaders Arsenal on Saturday as they seek to end an unwanted record against the top sides.
"If we want to do something special this season we need to break that mentality of going to the big grounds and not being able to get good wins," he said.
"If you look at the last 10 years we have never beaten Manchester United or Arsenal or Chelsea or Liverpool at their own grounds and that for us is something we need to address.
"We need to make sure we are ourselves, we need to know exactly how we are going to play and who we are.
"It doesn't matter who you are playing against or where you are playing you need to be able to perform with great standards and that is a fantastic test and challenge to have on Wednesday.
"We have only had one defeat (at Manchester City) this season and that has given us a great confidence and a great understanding of how we need to approach every game.
"When we went to the Etihad we were ourselves for 70 minutes and that is no way good enough to get a positive result.
"We need to learn from that but we are excited to go to Old Trafford and pay them the respect they deserve as they are champions.
"I do feel the game at Old Trafford is as big a test as we are going to get but after 13 games in the league I feel we are ready for that.
"That's our aim. I don't know how long it's going to take us but if we want to be successful over the course of the season we should be able to go anywhere and be ourselves.
"Will that happen overnight, will that happen in five months? We will have to wait and see.
"But I think the success of a team over the course of a season is measured when you can be yourself wherever you go and whoever you face."
Everton have no new injury worries ahead of the clash and they could face former midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
Phil Jones is suspended for Wednesday's encounter and with Michael Carrick (Achilles) ruled out, Fellaini is the obvious replacement.
Robin van Persie has "a chance" of recovering from a combination of groin and toe problems.
"He (Van Persie) is doing okay," said manager David Moyes, who comes up against his former side for the first time.
Fellaini has yet to impress his new club's supporters and is still to score, despite hitting the net on a regular basis at Everton.
But Moyes is not concerned, adding: "It is the same settling-in process that most Manchester United players go through.
"I don't think it is just Marouane or David Moyes. It is players joining this club.
"Obviously there will be players who hit the ground running and can go right in but there will be others who take a little bit of time.
"There have been quite a few of those here."
Moyes can certainly do without dropping more points after successive draws at Cardiff and Tottenham. Yet, for all the scrutiny on him, the Scot would not wish to be anywhere else.
"I knew the enormity of the job at Manchester United. It hasn't changed for me at all," he said.
"It is the biggest job and for me personally it is a great challenge."
Source: PA
Source: PA