Michael Keane

[jb8521]

Never thought Keane would be good enough personally he has the same tendency as Blackett where he let's smaller players bully him and doesn't have any recovery pace if people go past him. He's done well on his loans but I think that's the right level for him similar to Shawcross which is nothing to be ashamed of. People complain about our academy but were regularly producing premiership quality players which very few other teams are doing.

 

[Donut]

Never thought Keane would be good enough personally he has the same tendency as Blackett where he let's smaller players bully him and doesn't have any recovery pace if people go past him. He's done well on his loans but I think that's the right level for him similar to Shawcross which is nothing to be ashamed of. People complain about our academy but were regularly producing premiership quality players which very few other teams are doing.

Shawcross would probably play 30 games for us per season, and be our 3rd best defender when everyone was fit.

 

[jb8521]

Shawcross would probably play 30 games for us per season, and be our 3rd best defender when everyone was fit.

I disagree but even so thats after 8 years of first team football which he wouldnt have gotten if we'd kept him

 

[thejtrain]

If they are good enough they play, like the Nevilles. Fabio wasn't good enough in the end, and neither are the Keanes. Will Keane won't be here long.

One of the Nevilles had to leave too anyway. Btw, Fabio wasn't given enough opportunities to prove, IMO. But ya, the twins get to stay if they are both good enough - I only said it in jest.

 

[Ekeke]

The thing is Shawcross is a basic defender. Michael Keane has some ability on the ball too. A lot more to his game, even if he only reaches the same level it would be enough with the type of game he has.

If Shawcross was able to play football from the back, dont you think he'd be playing for a good club now? Its because of the type of player he is that he's been left where he was.

 

[marlowe78]

Good player who'll hopefully go on to have a fine career but letting him go is probably the right move. He's looked like falling short of making the grade at United for a while now and I'm not sure what those of you who say he'll forever be a better player and/or defender than McNair are basing that on, given McNair's exceptional development as a footballer and an athlete over the past 18-24 months. The only time Keane struck me as a potential United player was during his Championship loan-spell at Leicester (when he was a touch older than McNair is now btw, and a much more experienced defender) but he hasn't really kicked on and eradicated his weaknesses.

This is exactly my opinion. I admit that I haven't really seen Keane at youth level but in all of his appearances with the first squad, I have yet to see anything that indicates he could be better than McNair or Blackett. In his preseason matches under SAF he didn't impress me at all and in his minutes this year I saw no improvement. Does that mean he can't become better? Of course not, but there is nothing I've seen that strikes me as United quality.

 

[iBoss]

It seems you hope it doesn't, you're not even considering that he might. The way you talk about Blackett one would think he's the worst player to don the red of United in ages. Fair enough thats your opinion, only time will tell. He can easily cover for Rojo and Shaw at LCB and LB respectively, he'll be an asset.

He is one of the poorest players to don the red of United in a while, yes.

Why would I hope he doesn't make it? That makes no sense.

 

[mazhar13]

Is it time to move this thread to the Football Forum given that Michael's no longer a part of this club? Can one of the modmins do this?

 

[Loublaze]

He is one of the poorest players to don the red of United in a while, yes.

Why would I hope he doesn't make it? That makes no sense.

Because you refuse to recognize anything good about his game. If he was as bad you say he is he'd never had got a sniff, left foot or not. Beggars belief.

 

[iBoss]

Because you refuse to recognize anything good about his game. If he was as bad you say he is he'd never had got a sniff, left foot or not. Beggars belief.

There is little good about his game at PL level. What's he good at?

 

[Loublaze]

There is little good about his game at PL level. What's he good at?

Obviously someone at the club thinks he's good enough to be offered a new deal worth a reported 20k a week (same for McNair). Blackett has been praised by LVG on several occasions this season and has also been singled out for praise by Gary Neville, Paul McGrath, Garth Crooks and Martin Keown. Sure its just their opinions, but surely as a manager and as ex players their opinions are worth something.

1. He's a good forward passer of the ball on the ground
2. Strong, quick and athletic, the physical tools needed to be a top defender and he puts them to good use in the challenge, bringing the ball forward and marking players (he's a very good 1v1 marker, like Smalling,)
3. Strong in the air- It was his strong headed clearance to Mata that started our counter attack against Yeovil on the way to the clinching goal. He also has good anticipation and sharp reflexes, he made a good reflex and acrobatic block against Everton when we beat them 2-1 at OT (during the flurry of Everton attacks where De Gea pulled off that great match winning save). It didn't get as much attention as McNair's header against West Ham for instance, but it was good.

This is a snippet from the daily mail after his PL debut against Swansea:

This defeat by Swansea City is likely to accelerate United's pursuit of defensive reinforcements but it would be wrong to single out Blackett for criticism, whose performance in the defence was arguably more polished than more senior men such as Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young.

Blackett began the match with confidence, switching the ball 50 yards onto the toe of Jesse Lingard and his composure in possession proved to be one of the hallmarks of an impressive showing.

Blackett executed more passes than any of his team-mates - 90 in total - and also had the best accuracy, with 93.3% of his attempts successfully reaching a United player. He also won all three of his aerial duels.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...n-Van-Gaal-assured-display.html#ixzz3OLQQJMJU
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook


These are reasons why LVG sees something in him and why (in addition to also having the equally impressive McNair) he was ready to part with Michael Keane and surely Thorpe will follow him out the door sometime soon. Blackett and McNair have been almost neck to neck statistically this season as well from a defensive standpoint.

 

[Cletus]

Not long before this thread moves.

Him and Wooton; I thought Wooton was better, now they're both gone. A little sad, but he's hardly getting rave reviews at Burnley.

 

[khoazany]

Not long before this thread moves.

Him and Wooton; I thought Wooton was better, now they're both gone. A little sad, but he's hardly getting rave reviews at Burnley.

He is.

 

[FromTheBench]

So was going through Burnley forums/groups to see how he was doing and seemingly he is impressing a lot.

Burnley defender Michael Keane fulfilling Turf Moor potential

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/s...Keane_fulfilling_Turf_Moor_potential/?ref=rss


Also being linked with a January move to Newcastle and Everton. Good to see.

 

[sincher]

Yes he is looking very good. Should have kept him over Blackett IMO.

 

[17 Van der Gouw]

Not long before this thread moves.

Him and Wooton; I thought Wooton was better, now they're both gone. A little sad, but he's hardly getting rave reviews at Burnley.

I liked Wooton but in the limited amount of minutes I saw of the reserves playing, Blackett was better, and Keane the best. It's a shame.

I don't recall seeing McNair play at all before he broke through, but I'd say he's our best bet for the future of all of them.

 

[Brightonian]

Yes he is looking very good. Should have kept him over Blackett IMO.

Meh. He's better than Blackett but Blackett's not even within a country mile of kicking a ball for us at the moment. Better for Keane to have moved on and started fulfilling his potential elsewhere.

 

[khoazany]

They call him a PL defender playing in the Championship, which in all fairness isn't surprising.

 

[Rich_H_1989]

I still like Blackett and deep down harbour some hope that he'll return from his loan and be given a chance. He can play CB or LB and is I think very composed on the ball and good in possession.

Never really thought Keane would make it at United. Always struck me as a decent player who was destined to play at a good level but not the very top.

 

[::sonny::]

The next Shawcross

 

[khoazany]

Their top scorer as well.Burnley could do with getting Wilson from us on loan tbh.

 

[Kag]

No surprises. He's a very good defender. He had outgrown the Championship at the age of 20 (with Leicester) and I don't expect him to be playing down there much longer.

 

[Sarni]

He'll get a Premier League move to a good side very soon. I think he could replace Stones at Everton if they finally decide to sell. It'd be a waste for him to go to Newcastle, they are nowhere near stable enough to offer any sort of development to a youngster with large potential.

 

[m1y2]

The next Shawcross

exactly, that's why he needed to move on to fulfill his potential, he wouldn't get gametime over McNair and other firs teamers..

 

[sincher]

Meh. He's better than Blackett but Blackett's not even within a country mile of kicking a ball for us at the moment. Better for Keane to have moved on and started fulfilling his potential elsewhere.

I think Keane will play for England and be worth way more than we sold him for. Should have kept him and he could have developed on loan.

 

[Maradona10]

EVERTON AMONG SIX CLUBS INTERESTED IN KEANE

Burnley face a fight to keep hold of Michael Keane in January with six Premier League clubs interested in the defender, according to the Daily Mail.

Everton along with fellow Premier League sides Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Norwich, Stoke and Swansea have been tracking the young centre backs progress this season.

The 22-year-old came through Manchester United’s youth academy before making a permanent move to Turf Moor last January for a fee of just £2million, following a number of loan spells to Championship sides.

He was loaned to Leicester, Derby, Blackburn and Burnley before a permanent move to Turf Moor was sealed.

Keane has been a consistent name in Sean Dyche’s team this season, playing all 18 games and helping Burnley sit in 5th place in the Championship – just four points from league leaders Brighton.

Burnley have also managed to keep five clean sheets during this time, with Keane scoring three times and claiming the man-of-the-match award twice.

The English-born defender represented Republic of Ireland’s U17 and U19’s before representing England’s U19, U20 and U21’s. Like his brother William, who’s still at Manchester United, Michael remains on Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane’s radar.

If Keane was to sign he’d be brought in as competition to Stones, Jagielka and Funes Mori after a move for free agent Ron Vlaar was dismissed by Roberto Martinez.

Dyche won’t want to let Keane go, although Everton could prize him away if a big enough deal is offered

Looks like he is doing well for himself and will earn a move to the premier league soon enough. I liked him and his brother, although always maintained will had more talent but was injured alot more too. I hope he can rise to the top again, just too slow for a top top club, midtable prem league will be his top ceiling. Hope william does well too.

 

[Stobzilla]

Everton or Swansea would be great moves for him, you would think that if Everton could keep hold of Stones for a few years and keep adding in these younger pieces, with a coach like Martinez they could make a bit of noise.

 

[Maradona10]

Everton or Swansea would be great moves for him, you would think that if Everton could keep hold of Stones for a few years and keep adding in these younger pieces, with a coach like Martinez they could make a bit of noise.

They wont keep hold of stones, he will go. Maybe this summer after the euros. When the player wants to go, he goes. They might have got an extra year out of him due to euros and promise to selll him easily next season.

 

[lysglimt]

For the money mentioned - Everton should sell Stones. Let's be honest - he is not THAT good YET. And I am not questioning his talent - I just don't think he is the finished article - far from it.

And if Everton can sell Stones for £40 million - he can easily be replaced by 2-3 quality players. And that might create a space for Keane

 

[m1y2]

he has the potential to be top10 premier league player, similar to jonny evans who had more luck and better timing to start his career with us. Fergie wouldn let Keane go imo..

 

[TwoSheds]

he has the potential to be top10 premier league player, similar to jonny evans who had more luck and better timing to start his career with us. Fergie wouldn let Keane go imo..

Evans was a much better player as a youngster. Lacks the fitness and perhaps a bit of mentality though. Keane may well equal or better him in the end.

 

[khoazany]

Everton is the ideal club if he still want to break into a top club at some point in his career.

 

[Rood]

I was disappointed when we let him go - Im certain he will be a solid PL player for years to come

 

[Skills]

I really liked him. Good player and will have a very decent career. Shame he wasn't left footed and had a tough time against Gareth fecking Bale of all people in a preseason game which essentially ended his time here at the club.