Michael Keane| signed to Everton.

[roonster09]

He's bang average. This is why English clubs are shit in Europe. The English talent at the moment is awful yet they still spunk huge sums on English players. 15 years ago you got Rio Ferdinand, now it's John Stones and Michael fecking Keane. He's a half decent player but nothing special at all. The only 2 English players really worth going for: we already have one of them in Rashford, the other is Dele Alli. Even Kane is far too Bambi-on-Ice for my liking. All this talk of Dier and Keane is doing my head in.

You sure? Last few years Arsenal, City, Chelsea have regularly represented PL in Europe and none of them have many English players.

 

[Offside]

You sure? Last few years Arsenal, City, Chelsea have regularly represented PL in Europe and none of them have many English players.

Obviously it's not the sole reason but the days of Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Ferdinand, Terry, Cole, Carrick in their prime were the days the English teams ruled Europe. Now with players like Lallana, Stones, Jones, Smalling, Sterling they aren't good enough. The English market isn't good enough yet English clubs are still inevitably trying to buy English players. You could find so many better centre backs than Michael Keane further afield.

 

[Jig1234]

Experienced CB like who? There's only 4 world class CB I would say. We can't get any of them so I don't care who we get as long as they are more reliable and as good as Jones and Smalling.. improvement can be done by working with Mourinho, he's made Cahill believe he's a class CB.

Who are those four?

 

[AP88]

He's bang average. This is why English clubs are shit in Europe. The English talent at the moment is awful yet they still spunk huge sums on English players. 15 years ago you got Rio Ferdinand, now it's John Stones and Michael fecking Keane. He's a half decent player but nothing special at all. The only 2 English players really worth going for: we already have one of them in Rashford, the other is Dele Alli. Even Kane is far too Bambi-on-Ice for my liking. All this talk of Dier and Keane is doing my head in.

United were competing at the top table of European football with Wes Brown and Darren Fletcher in the first 11; it's since English teams STOPPED utilising as many British players that they've stopped getting anywhere near the latter stages in Europe. Chelsea had 4 English starters in their 2012 final team, and that was without the suspended John Terry as well.

The key element of success in football is IDENTITY; tactics, styles, and strategy can vary, but the common element in all great teams, those who perennially win, is identity and that's only generated by a certain number of domestic players.

Look at Real Madrid under Zizou; he's integrated Nacho, Carvajal > Danilo, Isco, Asensio and Lucas feature prominently and generally ahead of James....he's neutralising the perpetual golactico, mercenary mentality and creating an authentic Iberian identity that has seen them look like the most balanced, complete Real Madrid team since the days of Hierro, Raul and Morientes at the turn of the century.

Gary Neville wasn't Maldini, but he gave United more than Maldini would have; he loved the shirt, fought for the fans and for Manchester (plus England when playing in the CL) Ferguson generally avoided mercenaries and instead opted for players who owed their opportunity at the top level to him and United; those players will fight for you.

Yaya Toure, Silva and Aguero are arguably better than anything Fergie ever signed, but in the 7 years since they've arrived, City have won one league title by a clear points margin, and even that came in the post-SAF vacuum where Liverpool almost won it, and a mediocre Chelsea and even Leicester managed to pick one up.

One of them has handed in various transfer requests and booted off over a late birthday cake, and the other two haven't bothered learning the language; they have no real passion for the club or the City, and that sums up why they've failed despite having the best collection of (mercenary) players in the league for the past 7 years.

Kane isn't good enough? Ok, you're a lost cause. Go and masturbate watching Dortmund players on YouTube.

 

[POF]

Big money to re-sign Pogba was bad enough but £25m on a far less exceptional player the club let go for peanuts just indicates a poorly run club. What was the criteria in letting him go if you're willing to spend £25m on him just a couple of years later?

What next? A £50m bid for Danny Welbeck?

 

[Bwuk]

United were competing at the top table of European football with Wes Brown and Darren Fletcher in the first 11; it's since English teams STOPPED utilising as many British players that they've stopped getting anywhere near the latter stages in Europe. Chelsea had 4 English starters in their 2012 final team, and that was without the suspended John Terry as well.

The key element of success in football is IDENTITY; tactics, styles, and strategy can vary, but the common element in all great teams, those who perennially win, is identity and that's only generated by a certain number of domestic players.

Look at Real Madrid under Zizou; he's integrated Nacho, Carvajal > Danilo, Isco, Asensio and Lucas feature prominently and generally ahead of James....he's neutralising the perpetual golactico, mercenary mentality and creating an authentic Iberian identity that has seen them look like the most balanced, complete Real Madrid team since the days of Hierro, Raul and Morientes at the turn of the century.

Gary Neville wasn't Maldini, but he gave United more than Maldini would have; he loved the shirt, fought for the fans and for Manchester (plus England when playing in the CL) Ferguson generally avoided mercenaries and instead opted for players who owed their opportunity at the top level to him and United; those players will fight for you.

Yaya Toure, Silva and Aguero are arguably better than anything Fergie ever signed, but in the 7 years since they've arrived, City have won one league title by a clear points margin, and even that came in the post-SAF vacuum where Liverpool almost won it, and a mediocre Chelsea and even Leicester managed to pick one up.

One of them has handed in various transfer requests and booted off over a late birthday cake, and the other two haven't bothered learning the language; they have no real passion for the club or the City, and that sums up why they've failed despite having the best collection of (mercenary) players in the league for the past 7 years.

Kane isn't good enough? Ok, you're a lost cause. Go and masturbate watching Dortmund players on YouTube.

Agree entirely. Great post @AP88

 

[SSSSnake]

How about we stop letting our players go and buying them back for massive fees. Out of principle we shouldn't be buying back players that have left. We look daft.

Lets aim higher if we're getting a new CB.

 

[gulli_G]

Big money to re-sign Pogba was bad enough but £25m on a far less exceptional player the club let go for peanuts just indicates a poorly run club. What was the criteria in letting him go if you're willing to spend £25m on him just a couple of years later?

What next? A £50m bid for Danny Welbeck?

You can't blame Jose for this mess he is just buying players he feels are good enough, look at in the positive sense, he has played regularly in the premier league, something he would not have got in the reserves.

 

[The red panther]

You sure? Last few years Arsenal, City, Chelsea have regularly represented PL in Europe and none of them have many English players.

Well the rest that do have alot of english players don't even get into CL anymore, so they are even worse. Also it are the typically the english players that are some of the weakest players in these teams.

The only quality english players atm are Rashford with us and the trio Kane, Alli and Rose at spurs. For the rest we are talking about a bang average set of players.

 

[flappyjay]

I dont agree.. We should sign him he is better than both of the Chuckle brothers and more reliable.

I have said this before and I will say it again I have seen Burnley concede goals where he was marking Rondon and then Lukaku high up the pitch both times he got turned and they went to score. Our most physically weak cb (Blind) does not let that happen to him. At United he will be playing a high line at least 80% of the time. Both the chuckle brothers are suited to a high line game and they are both fast will Keane cope they way Blind has?

 

[The red panther]

Big money to re-sign Pogba was bad enough but £25m on a far less exceptional player the club let go for peanuts just indicates a poorly run club. What was the criteria in letting him go if you're willing to spend £25m on him just a couple of years later?

What next? A £50m bid for Danny Welbeck?

We will stump up silly cash to bring Chicha back and than our next manager will be resigning Depay and Schneiderlin on world record fees.

Also after Keane is bought he will end up failing here again and we will sell him again for fecking peanuts.

 

[POF]

You can't blame Jose for this mess he is just buying players he feels are good enough, look at in the positive sense, he has played regularly in the premier league, something he would not have got in the reserves.

I'm not blaming Jose at all. I just think there is something inherently wrong with the structure of the club that the manager (especially one that was as short term as LVG) has 100% say on transfers.

If Jose leaves next summer will a new manager come in and spend £100m on Schneiderlin?

 

[Mainoldo]

Who are those four?

Bonucci, Chiellini, Boateng, Pique

Kompany was a class above but injuries. Anyone else take or leave, they'll be god for a season then anyone's the year after, someone like Smalling is a good example of this.

 

[POF]

We will stump up silly cash to bring Chicha back and than our next manager will be resigning Depay and Schneiderlin on world record fees.

Also after Keane is bought he will end up failing here again and we will sell him again for fecking peanuts.

You beat me to it!

I agree completely on your last point. Pogba was a sure thing. Keane is not. If he fails to break into the team then it's just compounding a poor decision with another one.

 

[ZupZup]

Very pleased with this signing... he'll go on to prove plenty of doubters wrong I'm sure. Mourinho has been a good judge of centre backs and Rio is a big fan of his too.

What's to regret more... re-signing him having let him go two years ago, or seeing Chelsea sign him and watch him get better and better at a rival club?

 

[The red panther]

You beat me to it!

I agree completely on your last point. Pogba was a sure thing. Keane is not. If he fails to break into the team then it's just compounding a poor decision with another one.

It is the worst sort of transfer management I have seen in recent memory.

First of all Keane was never very good, we should not have sold him as cheap as we did but never the less he is just not good enough to be here. To than buy him back for silly money is just stupid beyond words. The boy still isn't good enough, never will be, don't waste £25m on him.

 

[AP88]

I have said this before and I will say it again I have seen Burnley concede goals where he was marking Rondon and then Lukaku high up the pitch both times he got turned and they went to score. Our most physically weak cb (Blind) does not let that happen to him. At United he will be playing a high line at least 80% of the time. Both the chuckle brothers are suited to a high line game and they are both fast will Keane cope they way Blind has?

Vidic was vulnerable to pace; Ferdinand generally neutralised it. Bailly can do that for Keane, while Keane can read and amend Bailly's kamikaze moments. Ideally match in that regard.

 

[The red panther]

Very pleased with this signing... he'll go on to prove plenty of doubters wrong I'm sure. Mourinho has been a good judge of centre backs and Rio is a big fan of his too.

What's to regret more... re-signing him having let him go two years ago, or seeing Chelsea sign him and watch him get better and better at a rival club?

Will not happen for 2 reasons

1 Keane is not good enough
2 Chelsea ain't that stupid to waste £25m on him

This will be the worst signing in our history if it materialises

 

[ZupZup]

Will not happen for 2 reasons

1 Keane is not good enough
2 Chelsea ain't that stupid to waste £25m on him

This will be the worst signing in our history if it materialises

Maybe you don't know anywhere near as much as you think you do...

 

[Ramshock]

Big money to re-sign Pogba was bad enough but £25m on a far less exceptional player the club let go for peanuts just indicates a poorly run club. What was the criteria in letting him go if you're willing to spend £25m on him just a couple of years later?

What next? A £50m bid for Danny Welbeck?

Its a club that gives its manager a free reign over transfers and things like this can happen. Remember the worlds greatest ever manager let Pogba leave, sold Stam, signed Bebe and thought Phil Jones could be the next Duncan Edwards.

 

[Sparky10Legend]

Will not happen for 2 reasons

1 Keane is not good enough
2 Chelsea ain't that stupid to waste £25m on him

This will be the worst signing in our history if it materialises

Quite the achievement.

 

[Jig1234]

Bonucci, Chiellini, Boateng, Pique

Kompany was a class above but injuries. Anyone else take or leave, they'll be god for a season then anyone's the year after, someone like Smalling is a good example of this.

All of those are playing for top clubs already and none of those would leave.

There are more top centre backs out there. Suggesting that only those 4 are the only decent one's is misguided.

Marquinhos, Varane, Manolas, Alderweireld, Semedo. Are all just a few examples of CB's that are better than M.Keane.

 

[Irrational.]

United were competing at the top table of European football with Wes Brown and Darren Fletcher in the first 11; it's since English teams STOPPED utilising as many British players that they've stopped getting anywhere near the latter stages in Europe. Chelsea had 4 English starters in their 2012 final team, and that was without the suspended John Terry as well.

The key element of success in football is IDENTITY; tactics, styles, and strategy can vary, but the common element in all great teams, those who perennially win, is identity and that's only generated by a certain number of domestic players.

Look at Real Madrid under Zizou; he's integrated Nacho, Carvajal > Danilo, Isco, Asensio and Lucas feature prominently and generally ahead of James....he's neutralising the perpetual golactico, mercenary mentality and creating an authentic Iberian identity that has seen them look like the most balanced, complete Real Madrid team since the days of Hierro, Raul and Morientes at the turn of the century.

Gary Neville wasn't Maldini, but he gave United more than Maldini would have; he loved the shirt, fought for the fans and for Manchester (plus England when playing in the CL) Ferguson generally avoided mercenaries and instead opted for players who owed their opportunity at the top level to him and United; those players will fight for you.

Yaya Toure, Silva and Aguero are arguably better than anything Fergie ever signed, but in the 7 years since they've arrived, City have won one league title by a clear points margin, and even that came in the post-SAF vacuum where Liverpool almost won it, and a mediocre Chelsea and even Leicester managed to pick one up.

One of them has handed in various transfer requests and booted off over a late birthday cake, and the other two haven't bothered learning the language; they have no real passion for the club or the City, and that sums up why they've failed despite having the best collection of (mercenary) players in the league for the past 7 years.

Kane isn't good enough? Ok, you're a lost cause. Go and masturbate watching Dortmund players on YouTube.

Take a bow, sir. Great post.

 

[Enigma_87]

@AP88 disagree with probably all points so I'll try to break it up.

United were competing at the top table of European football with Wes Brown and Darren Fletcher in the first 11; it's since English teams STOPPED utilising as many British players that they've stopped getting anywhere near the latter stages in Europe. Chelsea had 4 English starters in their 2012 final team, and that was without the suspended John Terry as well.

United became a force in Europe in the mid to late 00's when Fergie brought a lot more foreigners to the team compared to a decade ago. For example the team that won CL in 99 was almost exclusively made of British players. The only four players that were first teamers at the time were Johnson, Stam, Schmikes and Yorke. Of course Ole and Blomqvist played some part for example but the best team we could field consisted of British/Irish players like Irwin, Gazza, Beckham, Giggs, Keane, Scholes, Butt, Cole, Teddy, May etc.

The best Arsenal team that also made it to the CL final had 2 English/British players that were regular part of the Invincibles - Cole and Campbell. All other key players and even rotational players were foreigners. The Chelsea team that came to prominence was foreigner based and managed by a foreigner who implemented his ideas - Mourinho. The best Liverpool teams that achieved some success internationally had foreign managers in Houllier and Benitez and again imported a lot of French/Spanish players. The City team that won the league after decades won it under a foreigner and with key players like Aguero, Kompany, Balloteli, Dzeko, Silva - all foreign import.

Even Leicester won it under Italian manager and absolutely crucial players like Kante and Mahrez.

The most English team lately is Spurs and you can see how well they are doing in Europe.

The key element of success in football is IDENTITY; tactics, styles, and strategy can vary, but the common element in all great teams, those who perennially win, is identity and that's only generated by a certain number of domestic players.

All the best club teams we've seen in England(bar Fergie) are result of foreign ideas who brought in players to suit their tactics and style. If you're looking at identity and local players/mindset - well look no further than Big Sam, Moyes, McLeish, 'Arry, Pardew, Lambert, etc - that's the cream of the crop.

Look at Real Madrid under Zizou; he's integrated Nacho, Carvajal > Danilo, Isco, Asensio and Lucas feature prominently and generally ahead of James....he's neutralising the perpetual golactico, mercenary mentality and creating an authentic Iberian identity that has seen them look like the most balanced, complete Real Madrid team since the days of Hierro, Raul and Morientes at the turn of the century.

You take out Ronaldo, Modric, Kroos and Marcelo this season out of that Real team and Zizou would've been sacked at around February. He has brought some Spanish players, but the core is composed mostly of foreigners. I wouldn't say he did anything special to be honest.

Gary Neville wasn't Maldini, but he gave United more than Maldini would have; he loved the shirt, fought for the fans and for Manchester (plus England when playing in the CL) Ferguson generally avoided mercenaries and instead opted for players who owed their opportunity at the top level to him and United; those players will fight for you.

I recall the last 2-3 years of Gazza's career at United, many of the fans were shivering when they saw his name on the team sheet and many were asking when he will retire. Of course loving the shirt and being brought up from the academy is great and I'm all for that, but we can't expect every winger from the academy would turn to be the next Giggs or Beckham. If a foreigner is better than him and the club profits more with a foreigner on the team sheet I don't see the issue.

Yaya Toure, Silva and Aguero are arguably better than anything Fergie ever signed, but in the 7 years since they've arrived, City have won one league title by a clear points margin, and even that came in the post-SAF vacuum where Liverpool almost won it, and a mediocre Chelsea and even Leicester managed to pick one up.

I don't see the relevance here as City are doing better than us lately in the league and they've won 2 titles in the last 7 years, the points margin is irrelevant.

One of them has handed in various transfer requests and booted off over a late birthday cake, and the other two haven't bothered learning the language; they have no real passion for the club or the City, and that sums up why they've failed despite having the best collection of (mercenary) players in the league for the past 7 years.

Kane isn't good enough? Ok, you're a lost cause. Go and masturbate watching Dortmund players on YouTube.

Again really irrelevant. If you are good enough - you are good enough. The minute you become disruptive another one comes to take your place. Having a wider squad also helps so you don't have your first team place guaranteed.

 

[el3mel]

Keane is definitely going to be better than Smalling and Jones even as a squad player. End of.

 

[AgentP]

How in the hell is he worth 25m in the first place? He plays for a team that's 15th and is a tier below the top CBs in the league. He is on his last year of contract. We got Mkhi for 26m, RVP for 24m, Bayern got Hummels for 30m. Surely he should cost no more than 20m(even that's a lot). Him being English is the only reason I can think of for this ridiculous price.

 

[VP89]

Good post @Enigma_87

 

[DWelbz19]

Keane is definitely going to be better than Smalling and Jones even as a squad player. End of.

And how do you know this? He may end up the exactly the same. When Smalling was at Fulham he looked great. His first season here at the club was very good, and people were certain we picked up a diamond. Jones was probably rated even higher at Blackburn -- both more so than Keane has at Burnley.

 

[Devil may care]

I've always felt if he's a squad replacement for Smalling or Jones then ok, but not as our main CB signing to partner Bailly.

 

[Mainoldo]

I'm not blaming Jose at all. I just think there is something inherently wrong with the structure of the club that the manager (especially one that was as short term as LVG) has 100% say on transfers.

If Jose leaves next summer will a new manager come in and spend £100m on Schneiderlin?

No one complained when Barca resigned Cesc and Pique. We sold him because he wasn't going to develop playing 90 premier league minutes for the whole season. He wasn't going to replace what we currently have/had.

 

[Enigma_87]

Good post @Enigma_87

Cheers, mate.

 

[red4ever 79]

I thought this was just paper talk but more outlets now running with it. Can someone reassure me the caliber of players we are trying to attract is not Michael Keane for 25m.

 

[el3mel]

And how do you know this? He may end up the exactly the same. When Smalling was at Fulham he looked great. His first season here at the club was very good, and people were certain we picked up a diamond. Jones was probably rated even higher at Blackburn -- both more so than Keane has at Burnley.

No one will hit the same injury record Jones hit with us so Keane will definitely be better.

 

[Mainoldo]

All of those are playing for top clubs already and none of those would leave.

There are more top centre backs out there. Suggesting that only those 4 are the only decent one's is misguided.

Marquinhos, Varane, Manolas, Alderweireld, Semedo. Are all just a few examples of CB's that are better than M.Keane.

Your not listening to me! The suggestion is that we need someone to improve on what we have. What I'm saying is you only get that with those 4 defenders mentioned. All the names you mentioned are neither nor, just good defenders. It makes no difference whether they play for us or someone else. We have a solid pair on Bailly and Rojo and when the chuckle brothers are fit they proven they are in the same class as the defenders you have mentioned. Therefore why turn our nose to Keane especially when he knows what this club is all about. He can always be in that same calibre of defenders should he work hard.

 

[Enigma_87]

Your not listening to me! The suggestion is that we need someone to improve on what we have. What I'm saying is you only get that with those 4 defenders mentioned. All the names you mentioned are neither nor, just good defenders. It makes no difference whether they play for us or someone else. We have a solid pair on Bailly and Rojo and when the chuckle brothers are fit they proven they are in the same class as the defenders you have mentioned. Therefore why turn our nose to Keane especially when he knows what this club is all about. He can always be in that same calibre of defenders should he work hard.

I don't think he'll be much of an improvement on Rojo considering how both played this year. Which begs the question why go for a bench CB player for 25m pounds?

 

[AP88]

@AP88 disagree with probably all points so I'll try to break it up.



United became a force in Europe in the mid to late 00's when Fergie brought a lot more foreigners to the team compared to a decade ago. For example the team that won CL in 99 was almost exclusively made of British players. The only four players that were first teamers at the time were Johnson, Stam, Schmikes and Yorke. Of course Ole and Blomqvist played some part for example but the best team we could field consisted of British/Irish players like Irwin, Gaza, Beckham, Giggs, Keane, Scholes, Butt, Cole, Teddy, May etc.

The best Arsenal team that also made it to the CL final had 2 English/British players that were regular part of the Invincibles - Cole and Campbell. All other key players and even rotational players were foreigners. The Chelsea team that came to prominence was foreigner based and managed by a foreigner who implemented his ideas - Mourinho. The best Liverpool teams that achieved some success internationally had foreign managers in Houllier and Benitez and again imported a lot of French/Spanish players. The City team that won the league after decades won it under a foreigner and with key players like Aguero, Kompany, Balloteli, Dzeko, Silva - all foreign import.

Even Leicester won it under Italian manager and absolutely crucial players like Kante and Mahrez.

The most English team lately is Spurs and you can see how well they are doing in Europe.




All the best club teams we've seen in England(bar Fergie) are result of foreign ideas who brought in players to suit their tactics and style. If you're looking at identity and local players/mindset - well look no further than Big Sam, Moyes, McLeish, 'Arry, Pardew, Lambert, etc - that's the cream of the crop.



You take out Ronaldo, Modric, Kroos and Marcelo this season out of that Real team and Zizou would've been sacked at around February. He has brought some Spanish players, but the core is composed mostly of foreigners. I wouldn't say he did anything special to be honest.


I recall the last 2-3 years of Gaza's career at United, many of the fans were shivering when they saw his name on the team sheet and many were asking when he will retire. Of course loving the shirt and being brought up from the academy is great and I'm all for that, but we can't expect every winger from the academy would turn to be the next Giggs or Beckham. If a foreigner is better than him and the club profits more with a foreigner on the team sheet I don't see the issue.



I don't see the relevance here as City are doing better than us lately in the championship and they've won 2 titles in the last 7 years, the points margin is irrelevant.



Again really irrelevant. If you are good enough - you are good enough. The minute you become disruptive another one comes to take your place. Having a wider squad also helps so you don't have your first team place guaranteed.

On my phone and short of time so can't break this down comprehensively, but...

City have only done better than United in the last 4 of those 7 years, which coincided with United signing Falcao, Pogba, Di Maria, Mkhi and generally fewer British players; until that point, Cleverley, Evans, Young and Welbeck all featured prominently.

The City team that won 6-1 (the score line which effectively won the title via GD) had 5 English starters.

Leicester generally had 5 British starters last season. Spurs generally accomodate 5, and are overachieving in relation to financial outlay.

You say the successful English teams bar Ferguson's United haven't necessarily embraced the same pro-British principles; that's true, and that's why none of them have been able to replicate the sustained success or establish a dynasty, which given their vulgar investments in an attempt to, is massive underachievement. Tottenham have, and have taken a quantum leap from mediocrity to most complete squad with the most legitimate upward trajectory in English football, on a humble budget.

The Real Madrid point you're trying to make is a bit strange; Zidane's predecessors also had Modric, Ronaldo, Marcelo, and failed. So this suggests that the reason he WASN'T 'sacked by February' is the functional Spanish elements of the squad he's introduced that glue the team/squad together. They're going to win the league and could win a second consecutive European Cup. His tactical input is obviously crucial to this, but the most noticeable difference between him and previous coaches there is his advocacy of Spanish integration.

He will sign De Gea this summer, adding another international to the collection, add Theo Hernandez (a player of Spanish heritage, football development and upbringing) and bring Marcos Llorente and Jesus Vallejo back from their respective loans; he's clearly wants them to carry a distinctly nationalist identity, like Barca, Bayern and Juve do.

 

[bosnian_red]

Good squad player, not really starting quality I wouldnt think but he could step his game up and be a good partner to Bailly. We did need some homegrown players though with a few probably on their way out this summer, plus 25m isnt too much.

 

[Jig1234]

e have a solid pair on Bailly and Rojo and when the chuckle brothers are fit they proven they are in the same class as the defenders you have mentioned

Smalling and Jones are no better than Marquinhos, Varane, Manolas, Alderweireld, Semedo. - If you say so.

Bailly/Rojo are have been pretty solid. I agree they are the two best we have. But in recent seasons. We've said the same of Jones, Smalling. I Rojo has improved a lot but I still think we need to look at another partner.

Maybe I'm wrong and M.Keane will turn out to be better than I think. Our recent track record with English players doesn't make me hopeful. Apart from Rashford we have some of the most average English players in our team at the moment. Jones, Shaw, Lingard and Smalling. Can anyone say any of them have been a success.

I think it would be in Mourinho's best interest to pursue Marquinhos, Manolas or Alderweireld, instead of M.Keane. For the same reason I don't think we should pursue Mbappe. Mourinho would not get the best out them. If you offered me Mbappe under Van Gaal I'd be more optimistic because he is just better at dealing with young players.

Mourinho will be under serious pressure to deliver in his 2nd season. I don't think M.Keane is appropriate for us at this time.

 

[Lizard]

I never understood why young English players are so highly rated, I still don't. You can get a quality CB on a free transfer from anywhere in Europe and save yourself insane amounts of money, not to mention a continental player will be better than Michael Keane in 9/10 instances.

I wish I could understand, or that somebody would explain it to me.

Why would a football club voluntarily enter into an absolute robbery of a deal and risk horrible performances on the pitch, by buying English players?

There must be something here, something that makes clubs throw money away, risk the bad performances, consistent defeats and seasons with no trophies, since I just don't see how saying at the end of season "we may be shite, but we have tons of English talent in our midst" outweighs the horrible, horrible performances that the factor of having English players play for you produces.

 

[The red panther]

Maybe you don't know anywhere near as much as you think you do...

Give me 1 good argument why we should sign Keane for £25m whilst we tought he was't good enough not more than a season ago and sold him for like £2m.

From what I have seen of him he is still largely the same player as when we sold him. He is nothing better than Blind, Jones or Smalling except for that fact he may stay more fit than those last 2.

He is not good enough to be a starter which is what we should be looking for at the centreback position. £25m is far too much money to be spending on a bench player. Considering we let him go nearly for free last year, this is a pretty bad transfer. The worst in our history is obviously quite the exaggeration but nevertheless it is a pretty darn bad one.

Also signing a player because you dread the idea he may succeed at a competitior club seems like a pretty bad argument to sign someone. In that respect we should never sell or let go off any player in our youth ranks because imagine they could make it someday at a club like Chelsea... Also as I said, it isn't going to happen, Chelsea won't sign him and if they do they will have spend £25m on a player that won't succeed there and be nothing more than a bench player.

I have yet to see one valid argument, 1 sensible point to convince me otherwise but signing Keane for me at this moment makes absolutley no sense. He is ex-academy and he is britisch and he is at his level at Burnley, which is very good for him but none of those things should mean we have to throw £25m at Burnley to get him back.