Leicester City star Rihad Mahrez not considering January exit despite Manchester United links

Leicester City star Riyhad Mahrez says he will not be tempted to leave the club in January amid reported interest from Manchester United. Mahrez, 24, has been one of the players of the 2015-16 season, playing an integral role in Leicester's sensational rise to the top of the Premier League. The Algeria international has contributed 11 goals and seven assists in 15 games, providing one of each in the 2-1 victory over champions Chelsea on Monday 14 December.

His rise has inevitably seen him linked with January moves to Premier League rivals. The Daily Mail claim that includes United, who are keen to sign a winger in the January window. United boss Louis van Gaal has indicated he wants to boost his options in attack with a player with "speed and creativity". Mahrez would fit the bill in both departments.

But with Leicester top of the league as the half-way point in the season draws near, Mahrez insists he will not be abandoning Claudio Ranieri's side, but wouldn't rule out an exit at the end of the season.

"The best thing for me would be to stay," Mahrez told RMC. "I'm not going to leave in January – it wouldn't be good for my team if I left. If we lose an individual like me, [Jamie] Vardy or [N'Golo] Kante, it could penalise the team. I would prefer to continue with the team until the end of the season.

Mahrez and Vardy have been the two outstanding performers in Leicester's remarkable campaign, contributing 27 league goals between them. The two players cost the Foxes less than £1.5m combined and manager Ranieri now says no club will be able to prise the "priceless" pair away from the King Power Stadium.

"No-one can buy Vardy or Mahrez in January," said Ranieri. "They don't have the money".

When asked how much the players were worth to him, the former Chelsea boss said: "I don't want to put a price on them... For me they don't have a price".