Midfield target chooses Manchester United over Real Madrid - report

On the seventh day of the January transfer window, Ed Woodward gave to me...

Seven Scouse Brazilians,

Six Spaniards Passing, Fiiiiiiiive leg-breakers, Four box-to-boxers, three Basque midfielders, two German wingers, and a Scottish playmaker.

Well, Preston North End Ribeiro wouldn't sound right at all, would it? Everton Ribeiro is not actually scouse, despite his name - we've had enough of those in recent years, thanks - and is one of the many, many box-to-box Brazilian midfielders around at the moment, and he won player of the season in Brazil while Neymar was still there - quite a feat.

Ribeiro can play in many roles, but generally players of his ilk are best left to do their own thing, and he could bring a lot to United's midfield that they currently lack, providing an attacking thrust while also giving some steel and pace to the area.

A move would cost a reported £12m, well within United's range, and the player himself has spoken highly of the club, and when asked if he would prefer United to Real Madrid, said: ‘Yes, I would prefer that. The structure they have in place is one of the best in the world. I have been there already and went to a lecture by Alex Ferguson when I was younger.'

Ribeiro also revealed that he knows United from playing as them on video games. Let's hope we can get a deal done before he plays too much of the newer editions Santa will have brought him...