Burnley V Man Utd at Turf Moor : Match Preview

21 April 2017 03:34

Sean Dyche: Burnley in control of Michael Keane's future

Michael Keane's suitors have been warned by Sean Dyche that Burnley hold all the cards when it comes to the defender's future.

Dyche insists nothing has changed in relation to the 24-year-old England international, despite a report earlier this week suggesting he would be moving on from Turf Moor this summer.

Everton's interest in the centre-back, whose deal runs out in 2018, was made public by Ronald Koeman during January and Dyche has already stated he is prepared for other admirers to step forward once the window reopens.

Yet Dyche insists the notion it is a certainty that he will be depart this summer is alien to him and he believes Burnley will approach any negotiating table with a strong hand given their financial situation.

"I actually got told via a TV screen apparently that he will be leaving, that was news to me as a manager. The reality is that nothing's changed," he said.

"If there was (interest from other clubs), it would only be something that we control. We're a different animal than what we were a few years ago, we're in a very strong situation now - the club financially, the way the business side is run.

"We can make those decisions when it's appropriate to do so. We're certainly not under any consideration of our players leaving at this moment in time.

"We're in control. He's under contract, people do forget that. It's a strange situation now, there's no two ways about it, players and other clubs have become more powerful because of finance.

"He's officially under contract. He equally knows the appropriate time when we will speak about his future. He knows that, he's well in the loop.

"It didn't need someone through the TV to tell me apparently he will be leaving, I don't know where that came from. A source, apparently. I'm always a good source, as manager. I'm pretty reliable as well."

Burnley rebuffed Leicester's approaches for Keane last summer and the former Manchester United trainee has developed under Dyche's watch this season, playing in each of England's last two fixtures.

"He's learned a lot," Dyche added of his defender.

"He knows the information that I gave him at the beginning of the season. He bought into it.

"For all parties, even the team, it's proved to be right, he's delivered a very good season and he's been recognised internationally, which I felt he would do

"He's been an important part of the team. That's an ongoing thing until we decide it changes."

Jose Mourinho admits Manchester United are "in trouble" after Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo suffered nasty-looking injuries.

Thursday's progress to the Europa League semi-finals came at a cost as the duo were forced off during the 2-1 extra-time win over Anderlecht.

Rojo was taken off on a stretcher after seemingly sustaining a knee injury and Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly just before the quarter-final second leg went to extra-time.

The veteran striker's knee buckled and Mourinho fears the worst when it comes to the injuries sustained by his top scorer and influential defender.

Both are being assessed to see how long they will join Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the sidelines for at a crucial point in the season, with United chasing Europa League glory and a top-four finish.

"We are in trouble," Mourinho said. "We are in trouble.

"In this moment, Eric Bailly played six matches in a row, and we lost Marcos Rojo, we don't have Jones or Smalling, we are in trouble and now we lose Zlatan too.

"But in attack, we have options and (Wayne) Rooney is coming, and let's see if Mata can also return before the end of the season, let's see what happens."


Source: PAR