Sporting Lisbon manager Silas says he is counting on Bruno Fernandes from now until the end of the season, adding he wants him to stay.
Fernandes has been strongly linked with a transfer to Manchester United all January, and looked set to make the switch to Old Trafford last week.
The move has since derailed somewhat, with Sporting and United failing to reach an agreement on how much the Portugal international is worth.
Sporting are demanding a fee of around £70million to sell their prized asset, while the Red Devils want to pay closer to £50million.
Silas was asked whether Fernandes will be leaving this January, but was unable to provide a definite answer to the question.
"I can't confirm it, I would like him to stay," he said.
"Right now I don't know if he will stay or not, but I would like to count on him at least until the end of the season.
"Bruno Fernandes is a different player, he sees things that no one sees. Being further back and seeing these movements, the defence begins to decline.
"Any team that had Bruno Fernandes in Portugal would suffer if they lost him. If so we will have to look for solutions."
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted he wants to sign new recruits this month.
But so far Man United are yet to make a signing this January, despite being linked to a whole host of top-drawer players.
