Belgian international was ‘rested’.
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Everton manager Roberto Martinez has insisted that Marouane Fellaini is not heading to Manchester United after his omission from a friendly encounter with Real Betis prompted speculation that he had been left out to head to the champions, Sky Sports reports.
The Belgian international sat out of the side’s 2-1 victory over the Spanish side but Martinez explained that he had been rested ahead of his country’s encounter with France on Wednesday.
“Marouane would have been available if it was a competitive game,” said Martinez.
“He picked up a cut on the US tour. Bearing in mind he has to join the Belgium squad now – and in two days the infection will clear – I didn’t want to risk hurting him.”
Martinez also said that he is not expecting to receive another bid from Manchester United for prized left back Leighton Baines this summer.
“We’ve had no approaches for any of our players. There was a previous approach that was well documented and well known for Leighton. That was a final offer, and that was done.
“I’ll never go away from the fact that when people speak about the players at Everton, they’ve done well and it’s a real compliment.”
Martinez is gearing up for the new season, and has an almost full squad to choose from, but admitted that Darron Gibson will be the only one missing after picking up a knee injury in the encounter with Betis.
“Darron is the only negative,” added the Spaniard.
“We have been quite fortunate throughout pre-season not to pick up knocks and bruises, but in the warm-up he opened his knee slightly, so he’s got a grade-one ligament problem.
“We’ll have a clearer idea of it in the next 48 hours.”