Brazilian full-back Cicinho has revealed he has held talks with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson as he bids to obtain an EC passport before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

The Sao Paulo defender is running out of time if he is to acquire the necessary paperwork to seal a switch to England.

“I know that people have been calling me treasonous,” he told Gazeta Esportiva.

“Therefore, my solicitors and the officials asked for me not to pass on information on the negotiations from now on.

“The only thing I can promise is that I am focused on Sao Paulo at this moment. I am happy here but, if the proposal will be good for everyone, it will be difficult to stay.”

United appear favourites to land Cicinho.

“I only knew about everything when I arrived in Italy,” he affirmed.

“We received the invitation to meet Alex Ferguson.

“We know that he does not contract players without knowing them personally beforehand.”