KEEN ON KEANE
Michael Keane was ‘Bambi on ice’ at Manchester United but now Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea are circling
MICHAEL Keane may have lacked the star quality to make it from Manchester United’s academy to the first team, but his rapid progress means he could leave Burnley for £25 million in the off-season.
Nine years ago he was lost, almost jettisoned from United’s academy aged 15.
Now the central defender has won his first England cap and clubs such as Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea are eager to snap him up. Keane, 24, has one season left on his contract and Burnley will not stand in his way – providing the offers top £20m.
Steve Walsh, Everton’s director of football, is a confirmed admirer of a player who earns less than £30 000 a week, having identified Keane as a target during his time with Premier League champions Leicester City. Last year, Leicester’s £15m offer failed to land Keane.
The defender is being mentored by Rio Ferdinand, who has links with the same management company and has advised Keane to move to a club where he will get first-team playing time.
Impressive
That points to Everton, but Liverpool are also circling after Keane’s impressive display in Burnley’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield this month.
Chelsea have long harboured an interest in the centre half, while Pep Guardiola wants to buy English talent at Manchester City.
Keane has even been linked with a switch back to United, the club he left two years ago for £2m.
Failing that, United will earn 25% of the fee paid for Keane, who admits he was motivated to prove the doubters wrong when he left Old Trafford.
“I thought I’d make it at United,” he said. “A few changes in managers didn’t help and when I left I felt I had a point to prove. It made me work that bit harder.
“It is flattering to be linked with big clubs but I’m focused on Burnley. I feel I’ve done well so there is not much more I can do.”
Talking to people at United, an undeniable picture of determination arises.
In an academy team featuring the skill of twin brother Will Keane, Paul Pogba, Ravel Morrison, Larnell Cole and Jesse Lingard, he was the odd one out – an under-performing late developer. Tom Thorpe, now on loan at Bolton from Rotherham, was the defensive leader.
United needed just a second to wave through most of his teammates to scholarships but the decision on Keane took far longer and involved heated debates.
Described as physically immature, he had grown taller by 15 but his muscle development had not matched his growth spurt. Keane seemed unco-ordinated and he was described endearingly as a “Bambi on ice” who some felt should be shown the exit.
Keane stayed, but did not train with those he grew up alongside for the Under 18s that year. It was felt his body was not ready.
Instead, he studied A-levels in physics, chemistry and biology at Manchester’s St Bede’s College.
Three times a week he would play with the Under 16s at Carrington after school, also following a personal training regime with Paul McGuinness, then United’s Under 18 manager.
Keane was re-taught how to head and clear balls properly – in essence, to stop his legs moving all over the place. Simple exercises would be repeated over and over but he persevered despite teasing and feelings of rejection.
By 17, enough was enough. Keane demanded to be involved daily with his age group. A home tutor saw him complete his A-levels and he passed all three subjects.
Keane then shone on the field, excelling at right back during the 2011 FA Youth Cup triumph and playing for the Republic of Ireland’s Under 19 side.
England are now almost certain to secure his long-term international future, but the defender will not be fully committed until he plays a competitive fixture.
Based on the way he performed in Dortmund, however, that day will come soon.
Keane said: “I always wanted to play for England but when I was younger I was not at the level required, so I thought it best to get some experience at international level and that is what I did.
“My dad was born in Ireland but moved to England when he was nine and he is over the moon. I did not think twice. I was thankful to Ireland to play but England is my country.” – Daily Mail