Leighton Baines has revealed that his decision to snub a chance to join Manchester United was right as he says Everton are heading in the right direction under Roberto Martinez.
The Red Devils were long been interested in signing the left-back, with both their former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes keen on bringing the England international at Old Trafford.
Baines put the speculations surrounding his future to bed after committing his future to the Toffees by signing a contract extension. The defender believes that several of his club teammates have followed his path in committing their future to Everton, despite interest from other clubs.
“What the club has done lately is retain its best players. Everyone here who has been linked with someone has stayed and committed to the club,” Baines told the Liverpool ECHO.
“ The younger lads; Ross, Stonesy, Seamus have all been linked with clubs and they’ve all got their best football ahead of them, but they’re all happy to do it here. That’s as big as anything for me.”
“The manager was telling me that’s what he wanted to do when I signed my contract.”
“I signed following that summer of the whole United thing, but that was in their minds back then in terms of how to change the status and perception so we can keep hold of players when other clubs come calling.”
“Since that with me, a few of the other lads have been talked about as going by the media but in all fairness none of them have been the slightest bit interested in playing anywhere else. You hear that from them.”
“They are enjoying it here and they want to achieve what they can here,” the England left-back concluded.
Baines was a part of England squad during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and Roy Hodgson had picked him and Luke Shaw as the two left-backs for the summer tournament. Shaw, 19, joined United this summer from Southampton.
The addition of the former Saints star is a good business for United as the youngster is likely to spend most part of the club career at Old Trafford. Shaw has still over a decade of top flight football under his belt. However, Baines, 29 has few years of professional football.
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