Roberto Martinez future: Everton manager says thinking about getting sacked would be 'unprofessional'

Martinez says his full attention is on Everton's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United this weekend

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is facing a must-win FA Cup semi-final (Getty)

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says it would “unprofessional” of him to worry about his future as he faces increasing scrutiny ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Martinez believes it would be a “waste of time” to consider whether his job is under threat despite a run of six Premier League matches without a win since their cup quarter-final win over Chelsea last month.

Wednesday’s embarrassing 4-0 league derby defeat at Liverpool has increased the pressure on the manager, whose team languish in 11th place in the table.

Martinez says his only immediate focus is on guiding Everton to an FA Cup final as they chase their first trophy since they won the competition in 1995.

He said: “I wouldn’t be professional if I spent time talking about what people are thinking about what the feeling is around the manager.

“My position is to use the time as well as we can to prepare the team, and to get everybody ready for the next game.

“The turnaround in games is very quick. All that matters is how quickly we can get focused for the semi-final. We’ve worked very hard since I arrived at the club to be at Wembley, to be very close to challenging for silverware.

“Of course, we’re carrying hurt. Whatever you carry into a semi-final, sometimes it’s good momentum, sometimes it’s negative momentum, it doesn’t really matter when the whistle goes.

“That’s the work of my position. It’s not about what surrounds my situation, it’s about the football club, and how ready we can be for the start of the game.”

Martinez goes into the game facing a defensive crisis, as central defender Ramiro Funes Mori is suspended after being sent off for his reckless challenge on Divock Origi on Wednesday, while captain Phil Jagielka and right-back Seamus Coleman carrying hamstring injuries.

Midfielder Gareth Barry, who can play at centre-back, has a groin problem, although John Stones, who came off with stomach cramps at Anfield is likely to be fit.

Everton fans have grown unhappy with Martinez's management (Getty)

Martinez played down the controversy over Funes Mori’s red card, with the defender followed up by kissing the badge on his shirt as he walked off.

“I had a conversation with Ramiro,” the manager said. “The proximity of the semi-final, the preparation is for the next game. He knows he should have measured his challenge better. It’s water under the bridge now.”

Jagielka is not fully fit to play on Saturday, but Martinez could yet try to press the centre-back into service.

He said: “Medically I wouldn’t expect Phil to be fit. That’s the truth. It’s only been a short period of time since he picked up the injury. In any case, he would need more time.

“Knowing Phil, he wants to try everything to be available. So we’re not going to say no. We’re going to treat his feelings rather than the injury, and see how that shapes up before the game.”