Steve Evans is confident of keeping Liam Bridcutt at the club beyond January, saying there is a "commitment on all sides" for the midfielder’s emergency loan deal to be extended.
Bridcutt arrived from Sunderland a fortnight ago, initially until the start of January, and has slotted straight into the United team, completing the full 90 minutes against both QPR and Hull City.
The 26-year-old claimed the Man of the Match award for his display in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over the Tigers at Elland Road, but reports earlier this week have linked him with a return to former club Brighton – where he spent three-and-a-half years before moving to the Stadium of Light.
However, asked about the speculation at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Evans said: “Media and agents get together and two-plus-two makes 107. That’s what happens these days.
“I’ve always said that we have a commitment on all sides for Liam’s deal to be extended.
“Should something permanent change that then we have to respect that, but it’s not just Liam Bridcutt who made us good on Saturday and it’s not just Liam who can do that role.
“But I love the kid and it’s only the fact that Brighton are top of the league that would make him choose them. For every other statistic on the planet, he’d choose Leeds United.
“I’m still hoping that would be at the front of his mind. He’s certainly intimated to me that he wants to be around. I’ll listen to him and people here rather than listen to the television.”