NEIL Wood admits he could be playing for his footballing future at Turf Moor.

The Manchester United midfielder, 21, is keen to taste the rarified atmosphere of first team football during his initial month-long loan at Turf Moor.

And after finding a host of international superstars blocking his progress, Wood is refusing to rule out the prospect of quitting Old Trafford for pastures new in the summer.

Wood, who amazingly joined United aged just eight, said: "I don't know what the future holds for me at United, so I am more than happy to come here and get some games under my belt.

"My contract is up at Old Trafford in the summer and I might have to look elsewhere because nothing has been said about a new deal.

"There are good players ahead of me at United and going out on loan will help me to get experience.

"Even the likes of David Beckham had a spell at Preston when he was younger, but I don't know what will happen to me after this move.

"I am playing for my future just like a lot of footballers at the moment, so I wouldn't mind staying here and getting some first-team football."

Wood signed on as a United trainee in July 1999 and turned professional a year later. He made two appearances, both as substitute, for the reserves during 2000-01 and also played 13 times for the U19s in the FA Premier Academy League.

The versatile midfielder has already over come adversity once in his footballing career, bouncing back from a blood clot in his thigh and a fractured skull to make excellent progress for the Reserves during the 2002/2003 season, and being handed a first team squad number last November. And a festive friendly against the Clarets just a month later was the timely catalyst for his temporary switch to Turf Moor.

Wood explained: "We played a friendly game against Burnley on Christmas Eve and Stan Ternent asked if I'd like to come on loan.

"I said 'yes', but nothing happened and I just imagined that the gaffer, Sir Alex Ferguson, must have blocked it.

"Fortunately, Stan pursued the deal and I am delighted to be here. I had been looking to go out on loan for a while and a few second Division sides had expressed an interest in me.

"I was keener to play in Division One, though, so this move is perfect for me."

Hopefully, Burnley will now see the best of the youngster as he spreads his wings following a lengthy spell in United's Carrington cocoon.

Wood insisted: "I see myself as a midfielder really, although I have played up front before.

"For the last couple of seasons, I have played in central midfield at United, where I like to get on the ball and pass it around.

"Playing at United, you obviously learn a lot from the players around you, like Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

"But there are a lot of good players here at Burnley. With the squad they have, I'm surprised that they are struggling in the First Division and I'm sure I will learn a lot of things while I am here."