The 22-year-old attacking midfielder agreed to switch Old Trafford for Turf Moor on Tuesday on a three-year deal, for an undisclosed fee, believed to be into seven figures.

And after being given time to bed in with his new teammates, Hemel Hempstead-born Eagles is focussing on forging a successful career with Owen Coyle's side, starting against Caley.

When you leave a club like Manchester United, although there are a few exceptions to the rule, the only way is down.

But both the player and Coyle feel the move is the way forward for the talented youngster and the club.

Eagles said: "At the end of last season I was thinking about (my future) because my chances had been very limited at United.

"I met up with the gaffer just for a chat, because I didn't know what I was going to do. I've been at United for seven years, since I was 14, so it's been long.

"But when I met him I was so impressed, and so was Warwick (Horton), my agent, and really there was only one club in my mind.

"I'm just delighted to be settled now and I just wanted to concentrate on playing for Burnley.

"I've got to fly the nest and show people what I can do because it's no good playing one game every two months and playing the rest for the reserves.

"I need to be playing competitive football, and the English league is, I think, the best there is.

"The gaffer was really positive, and the faith he had in my led me to believe this is the right club for me.

"I can't tell you what's in the future, I just want to concentrate on where I am now.

"I believe this is the right club for me, with the faith the staff here have in me.

"I'm just looking forward to playing and showing people what I can do, and hopefully I'll start off with a win."

Eagles has impressed on United's pre-season tour of Africa – in the Cristiano Ronaldo role no less – scoring against Kaizer Chiefs and Portsmouth, but Coyle feels he can become a better footballer with regular first team action: "We've given him a platform to go and play, and I know it will be perceived as taking a step back, coming from Manchester United, which undoubtedly it is, no question, but we believe he's taking a step back for Chris to take two steps forward and get back to a level I feel he's capable of playing at.

"He can play anywhere, but I see him playing in a very attacking role for us and looking to get forward at every opportunity.

"He's a creative player, he scores goals and he's capable of taking players on.

"He just has an array of talent and we're just delighted to get him at the football club.

"He can play in the wide areas, but I've seen him play in central areas and behind the main striker, so he gives us so many dimensions in terms of our systems and our play.

"We don't want to be predictable or one-dimensional, we want a flexibility to our play, and this type of player gives you that.

"Good players also enjoy playing with other good players, and there's no doubt we have that at the football club, and he'll add to that.

"Sir Alex couldn't have spoken highly enough about him, and he entrusted him last week, in the company of some of the top players in the world.

"He said he would be fantastic for Burnley, and there's no doubt he felt we were the right club for Chris as well.

"I'd like to go on record to thank Sir Alex and Manchester United for their help.

"To get a player of this stature on board shows what we're trying to do and what we've spoken about at this football club, and to entice a player of his quality, 22 years of age and, I think an unbelievable career ahead of him, we're just delighted to have him on board."

Eagles' desire to play for Burnley was a major factor, and Coyle has been hugely impressed by his personality, on top of his playing ability: "The thing that first struck me about him was the confidence and hunger.

"We sat for the best part of two hours, and anything he had to ask was all football related, which impressed me.

"I was equally taken by him as a person, and that was important. I know he's relishing coming in, and working hard to be the best he can be.
"You're always a little bit anxious because, I'm not talking out of turn, but there was serious interest from a host of other clubs, so we're delighted."

Coyle finally got his man, after trying since January, and added: "I've known about Chris for years. I tried to get him as early as January as soon as the window opened when I came here.

"He wasn't available at the time, but we persevered and I'm absolutely thrilled it's come to fruition."

Eagles already has Turf Moor experience, having played there for Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday, scoring for United in Stan Ternent's testimonial, before netting what proved the winner for the Owls on New Year's Eve 2005, and he enjoyed the environment: "In my last game for Wednesday, and I was captain when I scored.

"When I came here, with them and Watford, there was a feeling about the ground that I liked. And the fans. It's just everything together."

His spells in the Championship on loan should also serve him well: "It's always a challenge wherever you play – it doesn't matter what division, it's always a challenge to prove to yourself.

"I've played in this division before, and I was only 18 then, I'm 22 now, so I've got the experience of playing more, with Champions League games as well. Hopefully I can let my football do the talking."