Everton Won't Rush New Leighton Baines Contract Amid Manchester United Talk

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has suggested the club won't use Leighton Baines' recent injury as an excuse to offer the Manchester United target a new contract.

The Spanish boss has confirmed the left-back's estimated six-week spell on the sidelines—sustained via a broken bone in his right foot—won't be met with a sit-down chat about the player's future, reported by Carl Markham of The Independent:

"

I think the injury doesn't change anything.

All our plans have always been the same. We want to have Leighton for the long term and that will never change.

"

Manchester United failed to capture the signing of Baines during David Moyes' first transfer window after leaving the Toffees, as per Phil McNulty of BBC Sport.

While the Scot did manage to coax Marouane Fellaini away from Goodison Park—albeit at the extortionate price of £27.5 million—he is widely expected to test the Merseyside club's resolve in January with another attempt to prise Baines toward the Premier League champions, highlighted by David McDonnell's report for Mirror Football.

The 28-year-old defender—who is set to challenge Ashley Cole for a starting place in England's World Cup lineup—has under two years remaining on his current contract, as noted by Paul Wilson of The Guardian.

Martinez previously stated that rivals will remain interested in Baines even if he pens a new deal but suggests his stature within the club ensures he will always reside at Everton, as reported by David Maddock of Mirror Football:

"

I don’t think it’s less likely there will be speculation if he signs a contract, He’s an icon for us. He’s not just a top left-back, he’s an Evertonian and it’s what he represents to us.

Signing a contract or not wouldn’t stop the speculation. You’re never going to stop the rumours and talk that comes with a player performing so, so well at such a high level.

"

Baines has made 12 Premier League appearances this campaign. So far, his highlight came in the 3-2 away win over West Ham, which saw him score two fantastic free kicks, per WhoScored.com.

He is an integral part of the team and has helped Everton gain 21 points this season, the same total as his potential Old Trafford suitors.

It is perhaps best for the player to remain at Goodison Park until at least the end of the year, especially if he wishes to continue pressurising Cole in Roy Hodgson's international setup.

Baines would likely share defensive duties with Patrice Evra at United and may suffer a run of inconsistent games—not the ideal preparation for Brazil.

That is, of course, if Moyes can finally hook the man who evaded his grasp during the summer.

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