BURNLEY are thought to be close to sealing a sensational double swoop for Manchester United stars Luke Chadwick and Michael Stewart.

The Clarets are trying to fight off stiff competition from Sunderland and Nottingham Forest to land aggressive midfielder Stewart, 22, on a season-long loan.

And I understand canny chief Stan Ternent is trying to weave more magic by persuading Reds' counterpart and old friend Alex Ferguson to part with tricky wide man Chadwick on another 12-month loan.

Ferguson is keen to offer his young guns vital first team experience away from Old Trafford due to the wealth of talent at his disposal.

And a short hop down the road to Turf Moor would suit both players fine as they look to step up their stop-start careers.

Edinburgh-born Stewart has long been a target for Ternent, and the player's agent, George Wright, confirmed: "The only thing set in stone at the moment is that Burnley are very keen.

"Michael liked what Stan had to say, but Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest and he wants to extend them the courtesy of talking to them later this week.

"But I think it's fair to say that Burnley are in the driving seat, both in terms of location and having Stan as their manager.

"Sir Alex has said he will only look to let players go out to clubs and managers that he feels can can help them progress - and Stan definitely fits the bill."

Flame-haired Stewart has made just seven first team starts for United - the last coming, ironically, at Burnley in last December's Worthington Cup tie.

A solid central midfield unit, including the likes of Juan Veron, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, limited him to just three other substitute appearances last term, against Liverpool, FA Cup opponents Portsmouth and Spanish giants Deportivo La Coruna.

However, that has added vital Premiership and Champions League experience to the three full Scottish caps he earned in the 2002 friendlies against Nigeria, South Korea and South Africa.

Ternent is known to be seeking more steel in a lightweight midfield unit, and Stewart, who has picked up a flurry of red and yellow cards in his fledgling United career, would undoubtedly add fire to the belly of the side.

Chadwick, also 22, saw out last season on loan at Reading alongside Clarets winger Glen Little.

The pacy winger, who has a Premiership winners medal to show for four years as a first team squad member at Old Trafford, has constantly struggled to emerge from David Beckham's shadows to win a first team place.

He made just five first team appearances for United last term, four as a substitute for the likes of Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, Clarets fans will doubtless remember his only start, which came in the Turf Moor Worthington Cup tie when he led the Burnley defence a merry dance to set up Solskjaer's stunning goal to seal a 2-0 victory.

He later scored on his debut for Reading, before ending his loan spell after replacing Little in the Royals' heartbreaking play-off semi-final, second leg defeat to Wolves in May.

Any move for either, or both player, is unlikely to be completed before the week is out.