Everton Ribeiro
Everton Ribeiro Reuters

Manchester United target Everton Ribeiro has effectively ruled out the possibility of leaving Cruzeiro during the January transfer window.

The 24-year-old was his side's driving force in a season that culminated in Brasileiro Serie A success and immediately found himself linked with a move to the Premier League champions, a dream destination for the midfielder.

Although David Moyes has indicated it will be difficult for the club to sign some of their targets in January, a move for the man crowned the best player in the Brazilian top flight appeared to be in the offing.

But after helping his side qualify for the Copa Libertadores, Ribeiro is in no rush to change clubs.

"There is a lot of speculation but for now I am just enjoying my vacations," Ribeiro told Globo Esporte. "I'll present myself at Cruzeiro on 6 January to have a good pre-season and another great year at Cruzeiro."

"I don't know what will happen after Libertadores. Football is very dynamic, I'll do like I did this year, step by step.

"Everything is working out little by little, Cruzeiro have a great squad, everyone treats me well and I am very happy there."

Ribeiro's desire to remain at Cruziero and play in the Copa Libertadores – which concludes in the summer – could dissuade David Moyes from bidding for the player next month, but club president Gilvan Ribeiro is hoping his star man continues to garner the interest of Europe's elite.

"We know it will be hard to keep him after Libertadores," he told Sky Sports. "But we don't intend to sell all of our players before Libertadores, we want to keep the squad, that will be our biggest investment in the team."

Ribeiro has spoken of desire to make a move to Old Trafford in recent days, indicating that he would pick a move to United over one to Real Madrid if given the choice.