Phelan hails Dyche’s remarkable effort

By Chris Boden
Published 30th Aug 2014, 08:00 BST
Split loyalties: Michael Phelan began his career with Burnley but spent almost 20 years at Old TraffordSplit loyalties: Michael Phelan began his career with Burnley but spent almost 20 years at Old Trafford
Split loyalties: Michael Phelan began his career with Burnley but spent almost 20 years at Old Trafford
Former Claret Michael Phelan admits it is a “remarkable” achievement for Burnley to be back in the Premier League.

But he will have split loyalties tomorrow when Manchester United come to town.

Phelan, born in Burnley, hails from Barrowford, and began his career at his hometown club as an associated schoolboy in 1979, going on to make 168 appearances for the Clarets before a a £60,000 switch to Norwich City in 1985.

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Four years later he moved to Old Trafford for £750,000, where he won his one England cap, the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Phelan left in 1994 for West Brom, but returned to United in 1999, where he went from the Centre of Excellence to first-team coach, to assistant manager.