Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants to keep Manchester United pair Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson for next season's Premiership campaign.
Keane said: "I keep saying they are Manchester United players, and there is no getting away from that, we knew that when we took them
"It is has been a win-win situation for everybody. It has been a great experience for the two lads to come out - I am not sure they would have played many first-team games.
"They might have over the last week or two because of the number of injuries United have had, but generally speaking, they would not have played that much, I don't think.
"They have come to Sunderland, they have played regular first-team football, they have got used to playing in front of big crowds, and our fans are very demanding.
"If they make it at United, they will find exactly the same, so it has been a fantastic deal for both clubs and for both players, because as well as they have done on the football pitch, they have been brilliant in the dressing room.
"I have to say they are two top lads and it would be fantastic if we could get them next year. But ultimately, we want to get players who are Sunderland players."
That last point is significant for Keane - he has been acutely aware that Evans and Simpson were only ever likely to be temporary members as they set their sights on breaking into the senior set-up at United.
As he sets about investing the estimated £25million with which Niall Quinn's Drumaville consortium is expected to furnish him this summer, he is looking to build a permanent foundation.
Keane said: "Two of our back four were not even our players. A club like Sunderland, it is all well and good having these loan players, and Jonny and Danny have been absolutely fantastic and a credit to themselves.
"I will obviously be speaking to Sir Alex when their season is over. There is no way I would dream of ringing a manager now when they are in the middle of such an important period.
"But ultimately, we want our own players because with this loan situation, they are not your players and you have got to be careful with that.
"I want a strong squad where they are Sunderland players and there is no such thing as players being called back, because there is a lot of uncertainty with that.
"Sometimes you are hanging on the end of a phone waiting to see if a club is going to let them come out to you, and a club like Sunderland, we need to be in a better position than that.
"It is great we have had these loan players, who have done brilliantly for us, but ultimately, we want our own players."
Subject: Sunderland boss Keane hopes to keep Man Utd duo 
Fri May 11, 2007 1:22 am
