Having been a massive success over the last two seasons while at the Stadium of Light on loan from the Red Devils, Sunderland were hopeful of securing the player on a permanant basis.

However, Keane accepts the 20-year-old Northern Ireland international is currently in a position to play at the highest level with the Premier League champions.

Evans was in the starting line-up for Manchester United in their 2-0 pre-season friendly win at Aberdeen last Saturday.

Keane said: "Jonny is under contract and I certainly don't want to go into conversation about players who are under contract at clubs.

"Other managers do it and that annoys me.

"If we want to get a player and we want to speak to a player, you have got to do a deal with the club.

"It was the same last year.

"We all know Jonny is a top player and in an ideal world, you would like to bring him to your club.

"But he is not at a bad club in Man United, is he?

"And Man United certainly don't need the money."