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Baines quells United talk

Leighton Baines, here tussling with Nani, is not off to Manchester United © PA Photos

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Everton defender Leighton Baines has cited the numerous transfer windows which have passed him by as evidence that his residency at Goodison Park is set to continue.

Rumours on Twitter have suggested that Baines might make a January switch to another club, possibly Manchester United, but the Englishman quickly swept those aside.

Instead it is success with the Toffees which is driving him day-to-day, specifically a desire to bring big European nights back to the blue side of the Mersey.

Everton's last encounter in the Champions League came in 2005 when they crashed out of the tournament to Villarreal, losing 4-2 on aggregate.

Baines has competed in the Europa League with the club since and he says that although the club currently sit in sixth in the Premier League, it would be a massive achievement to secure UEFA football for next season.

But it's the news that Baines will still be around come February that will be the most immediate relief for Everton fans, and manager David Moyes.

"I'm not into Twitter to be honest so I would not know [about the transfer rumours] but I would probably say not to be worried about it because there have been a few windows and a few rumours and I am still here so there's nothing to worry about," Baines told Sky Sports News.

"It would be a massive achievement if we could get those European nights back at Goodison.

"There's a lot of lads who have been at the club for a long time now and that's what we want. Not just for ourselves, we've got ambitions, but for the people at the club, the manager, the chairman and the fans as well."

Baines signed for Everton from Wigan in the summer of 2007 and has won 13 England caps after making his debut against Egypt in 2010.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.