said that: "he is an exciting player and has done very well". He was also loaned to Sheffield Wednesday for the first half of the 2005–06 season. Manager Paul Sturrock stated that: "Sir Alex said to me that he wants this player to play in front of big crowds and see how he handles it". He scored his first goal for the "Owls" in a 1–0 victory over Leeds United at Hillsborough on 13 September. He ended his loan spell at Wednesday with three goals in 25 appearances. On 6 January 2006, Eagles returned on loan to Aidy Boothroyd's Watford. He scored the only goal of the match against Stoke City in his first league appearance of his second loan spell at Watford. He scored the winning goal in the 1–0 away win at Brighton & Hove Albion on 18 February from 50 yards (almost the halfway line), which won him the club's goal of the season award. Watford reached the 2006 Championship play-off Final, and Eagles was an unused substitute as they secured promotion to the Premier League with a 3–0 win over Leeds United. On 31 August 2006, Eagles agreed to spend four months on loan at Dutch Eredivisie side N.E.C., to gain more experience. He decided to take the option of returning to Old Trafford on 21 December after struggling to get many games at the Stadion de Goffert. On 13 March, Eagles featured in the second half for United in the UEFA Celebration Match exhibition at Old Trafford against Marcello Lippi's Europe XI. On 28 April, Eagles scored his first senior goal for United in a 4–2 Premier League win over Everton; after coming on as a second-half substitute, he scored a 93rd-minute goal to put the result beyond doubt as United went five points clear in their race for the Premier League title. He was an unused substitute in the 2007 FA Community Shield, as United beat Chelsea on penalties following a 1–1 draw. Burnley In July 2008, Eagles signed for Burnley on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. The London Evening Standard reported that the fee was £1.2 million, of which £200,000 would go to Watford as part of a sell-on clause. Manager Owen Coyle said: "He can play as a striker, or behind the striker or wide or as a central midfielder. He gives you a host of variations, but outwith that