Manchester United Face Battle to sign £20m Ivory Coast Star

Cote d'Ivore midfielder Cheick Tiote has revealed he is "flattered" to be linked with a move to Manchester United but claimed he had no intention of leaving Newcastle in January.

The Cote d'Ivore international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for a number of months and Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly weighing up a bid as he looks to bolster his midfield in the New Year.

The Manchester United manager is in the market for a central midfielder after Darren Fletcher was ruled out for the season with a chronic bowel complaint.

The Scot is also without Manchester United midfielders Tom Cleverley and Anderson until the New Year and recent reports have linked Tiote with a January switch.

The Manchester United-target, who was bought for £3.5m in August 2010, is valued at close to £20m after impressing for the Magpies since his arrival.

However, Tiote, who signed a six-and-a-half year deal with the Magpies in February, has pledged his allegiance to the club, saying he has yet to hear anything official over a move.

"I am flattered by clubs interested but there is nothing official," he told Sky Sports. "When teams such as Chelsea [and Manchester] United are interested in you it makes you think twice, but I love Newcastle, I belong to Newcastle and I enjoy my life here."