Manchester United are confident of winning the race to sign Michael Keane with the Burnley centre-half setting his sights on a return to Old Trafford.

But another England defender, Luke Shaw, risks being stuck in limbo at United after suffering ankle ligament damage that is likely to force him to miss the start of next season.

Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Everton are all interested in Keane but United have moved into pole position to sign the 24-year-old 2½ years after he was sold to Burnley for £2 million by Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho’s predecessor as manager.

Mourinho has made clear privately that he would never have sold Keane, one of numerous players the United manager is puzzled Van Gaal allowed to leave, and the prospect of returning to the club is understood to appeal greatly to the £30 million rated defender.

United negotiated a clause when Keane left Turf Moor in January 2015 that entitles them to 25 per cent of any sell-on, which would effectively translate as a discount on any transfer fee, even if it would be galling to have to pay out a substantial sum for a player who was on their books not long ago.