Championship debrief as Manchester United poised to wreck Middlesbrough promotion rival's plans

It's back to the drawing board for Burnley in their search for a new manager, with Ruud van Nistelrooy set for a return to Manchester United instead.

The former striker looked set to take the reins at Turf Moor to replace Vincent Kompany after his move to Bayern Munich this summer, which saw him take Middlesbrough coach Aaron Danks with him. However, it now appears Van Nistelrooy will turn down the Clarets and instead join Erik ten Hag's coaching team at Old Trafford.

Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake, who previously worked with Ten Hag at FC Twente, is also set to be part of the revamped coaching team at Manchester United, with Benni McCarthy leaving his coaching role to explore more management opportunities. It's not yet known if former Boro boss Steve McClaren will remain in post as Ten Hag's assistant coach should Van Nistelrooy and Hake arrive as expected.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough in enviable position as next moves plotted out after Michael Carrick transfer wish

More importantly for Boro though, it's another blow for Championship promotion favourites Burnley as they continue their search for a new boss with six weeks to go until the end of the season. Kompany's Turf Moor assistant Craig Bellamy is now joint-favourite to take the role, though he is also understood to be under consideration for the vacant Wales national team post.

Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand is the new surprise joint-favourite, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Scott Parker and West Brom boss Carlos Corberan are next on the bookies' list.

Former Boro 'target' nears Leeds United exit

Former England Under-21 international Charlie Cresswell was linked to Boro back in January and, after making just five appearances for Leeds United last term, looks set for an Elland Road exit this summer.

Cresswell is said to be joining French side Toulouse for £3.8 million, according to Sun journalist Alan Nixon. Whether or not Boro's interest in the defender was ever genuine is not known. They were known to be looking at centre-backs for this summer around the time Cresswell was linked, but plans changed as a result of Matt Clarke's form, with centre-back now not expected to be an area Boro look to this summer.

Cresswell will be the first major exit at Leeds this summer but, having failed to gain promotion when losing to Southampton in the play-off final, they are expected to face offers for some of their bigger-name players this summer such as Illan Meslier, Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville.

Rob Edwards hoping Luton experience leads to immediate Premier League return

Fresh from signing a new four-year contract, Rob Edwards is hoping Luton Town can use their experiences in the Premier League last season to make an immediate return, feeling that, despite their relegation, the club is still heading in the right direction.

Speaking after signing his new deal, Edwards said: "We’ve had a hit, we’ve taken a hit, but I still feel and I think everyone’s the same, I still feel like we’re just on this upward trajectory, that’s where we’re going. It’s great that Gary (Sweet, CEO) and the board feel that we’re the right people to continue that for a long, long time.

“After the game at West Ham (3-1 defeat), it was like, we want to be back here. There’s more to it than that though isn’t there, there’s a whole journey to go on. There’s a how, there’s a process, there’s a way of getting there, we’re developing, we’re still getting better. We’ve learned a hell of a lot, we’re going to put a lot of what we’ve learned, especially in the last 12 months, into practice next season.

"I think there’ll be a real appetite, a real hunger to put a lot of the stuff that we’ve learned, a lot of the stuff that we’ve been trying to do, into practise straight away. We’re starting from a better place than what we were last season actually, because of all the recruitment that we’ve done, we’re in a stronger position and that really excites me.”

Sheffield United preparation disruption

Sheffield United's preparations for the new season are still being disrupted by their wait for EFL approval of a takeover from a US-based consortium. With no approval yet, the Blades are yet to make a signing this summer, while contract offers for out-of-contract players such as Ollie McBurnie have been put on hold. They'll also start the season on minus two points.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, club legend Billy Sharp said: “Sheffield United have a lot of work to do. With minus-two points and this takeover which is taking forever to go through. I think that's holding up ins and outs, which isn't ideal. I know there are players out of contract who Sheffield United probably want to sign, but haven't been able to at the minute.

“I know there's a lot of frustration around the club, I'm a Sheffield United fan so I want things to get sorted and I want to see them back up and running. I don't want to see them fall any further down and they're going to find it tough to start the season, to get that first win just to get back into the plus points. Hopefully myself, Doncaster and Sheffield United can have a good season next season.”

Clubs queueing up to sign Hull City star

Hull City star Jaden Philogene is a man in demand this summer after his impressive season for the Tigers. The wide man starred as Hull narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, scoring 12 goals in total. He is expected to leave the MKM Stadium this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton are lining up a £16m move for Philogene, with our sister title the Liverpool Echo having confirmed the Toffees have targeted the City man. But they're not alone in their interest, with West Ham United, Tottenham and Spanish giants Barcelona also credited with interest.

Hull's owner has admitted they are in a tight position as far as PSR is concerned and they therefore may have to sell in order to balance the books and allow for incomings. It's that situation that leaves Boro officials feeling there is a possibility that Ryan Giles could return to Boro this summer. However, with stars like Philogene and Jacob Greaves huge sellable assets, Hull do have options as far as their summer rebuild is concerned.