STEVEN SO SURE ON SEAN

BURNLEY still have a bright future with Sean Dyche at the helm, according to former player Trevor Steven.

The Clarets’ Premier League status isn’t secure yet after a rocky run of form which has seen them win once in their last five games.

But next season could be different after businessman Alan Pace took control of the club earlier this year.

The former Wall Street banker’s ALK Capital Investment Group has spent around £170million to secure an 84 per cent stake.

Steven reckons the club’s future is positive – if they can avoid the drop and keep Dyche (right).

“Sean has done a great job for many seasons now and this is a brilliant period of time for Burnley,” he said.

“With the ambition of the owners, going into the transfer window this summer could look very exciting for them.

“Dyche fits the mould. It’s a no-nonsense attitude that he instils into his team. The players that he’s selected and recruited have always had to buy into that.

“You don’t get anywhere near the first team if you haven’t got that die-for-the-cause mentality. “Burnley as a football club still need that before they can take the next step forwards.

“But I thoroughly believe Dyche can take them on to another level. “It’s all about getting through this season and then kicking on from there.”

JOSH BROWNHILL has waved good riddance to the doomed ESL.

The Burnley midfielder has been a top-flight success this season, establishing himself as a regular under Sean Dyche.

And he is glad the next generation of players can have the same dreams he had as a youngster.

Brownhill said: “When you’re young, you dream of playing at all these big stadiums.

“So for us, as a squad, we’re very happy it’s not going ahead.”

■ by STEVE BATES

set to step down later this year after United’s part in the ESL fiasco, Solskjaer insists he’ll be happy to provide input with former Old Trafford star Edwin van der Sar – currently CEO at Ajax – tipped as a possible successor.

“I’m pretty sure that we will be able to move on and move forward,” he said. “We have to deal with Ed’s departure, we’ve had a very good working relationship, he brought me in here, he supported me.

“I’ve not been involved in discussions over a successor but if they ask my opinion and it comes to that, I’ll voice my opinion on what we need. But I’m sure the club is capable of moving forward.

“It’s important we employ the right man – we can’t employ on sentiment but to have Man United’s best interests at heart – that’s one of the criteria of course. But I’m not the one who writes the job description. Of course my job now is to take care of results but whoever comes in I’m hopeful I can have a good working relationship with and I can provide results.” Of immediate concern is managing at Elland Road today against a Leeds side desperate for revenge after their 6-2 mauling at Old Trafford in December.

But Solskjaer isn’t buying the theory that the ESL fiasco will make Leeds and other teams try harder against the Big Six defectors. He added: “I think you are underestimating players.

“They are just as motivated in every game.

“Every time you play against Man United, the opponent is 100 per cent motivated.”

BIG EDS: Van Der Sar and Woodward