The Latics earned their first ever Premier League points against the Red Devils on Wednesday thanks to Shaun Maloney's second half strike.

A memorable victory ensured Wigan moved out of the bottom three for the first time in six months and into 17th place, two points ahead of 18th placed Bolton.

The Lancashire club have earned plenty of plaudits since the game after a result Martinez described as 'historic'.

However, the Spaniard insists the praise will count for little if Wigan fail to build on the momentum gained from the result and lose their battle against the drop.

"The performance on Wednesday was in many ways very, very important for us," said Martinez.

Impossible mission

"If you ask any Wigan Athletic fan, Manchester United was a scary prospect - any game we went into against them, it was an impossible mission, so to be able to overcome that and just to achieve the three points in the manner we did, it was very pleasing.

"But I don't think we have time to look back too much, because with the position in the table we are in, we have to achieve our aim.

"If we don't, the performance against Manchester United will count for very little.

"It is great in football to get credit - good reports about your performances are always welcome and appreciated.

"But we are realistic about our position in the table and you cannot stop to see what has been written about you when you are in our position.

"We need points, we need to work extremely hard in the next five games and we cannot lose concentration."

Rumours

Martinez also reiterated his desire to stay at the club amid rumours he was ready to quit at the end of the season.

Stories regarding a possible summer departure began circulating ahead of the match at the DW Stadium on Wednesday, something the Latics boss vehemently denied after the game.

When quizzed again on the rumours Martinez repeated his desire to stay at the club, as well as expressing his delight at the fact the rumours failed to disrupt his players.

"It is not about where the story came from," Martinez added. "It is about how it affected our football club and it showed me that we are stronger than ever, that we are focused on what we can do and that nothing from the exterior will affect the way we want to perform.

"I'm very pleased with the manner in which we faced that story as a football club and if anything, it has got us even more focused on what we have to do."