All Whites striker back in big league

More Man U magic in EPL

Leeds United’s manager has confirmed Chris Wood is on his way to English Premier League club Burnley in a $26 million deal after the All Whites star withdrew from Leeds’ latest match.

Wood pulled out of Leeds’ squad for their Championship match at Sunderland yesterday, saying he did not feel it would be right to play while talks continued on a move.

‘‘Due to strong interest from a Premier League team, the ongoing discussions with the club, and given it has always been my ambition to play at the highest level, I don’t feel it is right that I play today,’’ Wood said.

‘‘I wish the team all the best and hope the lads can pick up the three points.’’

Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen confirmed Leeds had accepted Burnley’s third offer for Wood and the 25-year-old would have a medical at Turf Moor today.

‘‘When one player doesn’t want to stay, there is nothing I can do. I only want players who are 100 per cent with the team,’’ Christiansen told Sky Sports after Leeds’ 2-0 win at Sunderland.

Christiansen was clearly disappointed at losing Wood, who turned down a bumper three-year deal from Leeds on Friday.

‘‘We showed it’s not about one player, we’re about the team, no one is above the team,’’ he told The Guardian.

‘‘Yesterday Chris rejected a very Free-scoring, tight at the back, and confidence oozing through the side, Manchester United already might be the team to beat in the English Premier League.

United haven’t challenged for the title since winning its recordextending 20th championship in 2013, Alex Ferguson’s last year in charge. But back-to-back 4-0 wins has sent a powerful early season message to its rivals.

Swansea was on the end of United’s power and new-found clinical

good offer from us. That means his mind is not with Leeds – and I only want players who’ll fight for the shirt.’’

But Christiansen said everyone had to respect the Kiwi’s decision.

‘‘The possibility to go to a Premier League club is interesting for him, and probably the money is also much better,’’ Christiansen said in a report on the Club Call website.

‘‘But he was [a] recognised and appreciated player at this club and everyone has to respect his decision,’’ he said.

‘‘He’s a professional and if that’s his thought we have to respect it. I personally hope he will do fine. I don’t have anything against him, he’s a good guy, a good player and he’s given until now what I expected of him.’’

Burnley are understood to have edge on Saturday. Eric Bailly scored in the first half then Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial all netted in a devastating four-minute passage from the 80th.

‘‘There was happiness in our play,’’ United manager Jose Mourinho said. ‘‘There was no need to close the door. Just let the horses run freely, and they were magnificent.’'

Liverpool squeezed past Crystal Palace 1-0, Arsenal lost at Stoke 1-0 and there were first wins of the season for Leicester and Watford.

upped their offer to £15 million (NZ$26.3 million) for Wood, who Leeds signed in 2015 for £3 million ($NZ5.2 milion).

Wood will become Burnley’s record signing, but after the club’s 1-0 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion yesterday, Clarets manager Sean Dyche declined to comment on the Wood situation.

‘‘I have made it clear many times, I choose to not look at other players in the public arena, I prefer to keep our business private,’’ Dyche told reporters.

The 25-year-old Wood joined Leeds from Leicester in 2015, having previously played for West Brom.

Wood, who played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as an 18-year-old, has scored 20 goals in 52 appearances for the All Whites.

Additional reporting: Reuters