Michael Keane

Roboc7 said:
I think it is pretty much guaranteed we will strengthen there, would be negligent not to and we can prepare properly for the transfer window in the summer rather than the last minute rush we had this season. Rojo was bought to be a squad player so choice for Keane is come back and compete with someone like him for a place on the bench or play regularly in the Premier elsewhere.
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We will obviously get someone, but whether they will be solid is another matter. Rojo hasnt been, who knows if the next guy will be? We've clearly prioritised spending on midfielders and attackers so far and that doesnt mean we're going to do the same with defenders now. Lots of teams spend more on midfielders and attackers than defenders

Also we bent over backwards to get Rojo so he was clearly a very important part of plan A. We wouldnt do that for a squad player
 
Ekeke said:
We will obviously get someone, but whether they will be solid is another matter. Rojo hasnt been, who knows if the next guy will be? We've clearly prioritised spending on midfielders and attackers so far and that doesnt mean we're going to do the same with defenders now. Lots of teams spend more on midfielders and attackers than defenders

Also we bent over backwards to get Rojo so he was clearly a very important part of plan A. We wouldnt do that for a squad player
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Have we already written Rojo off? I think we'll get someone in, however it seems people have forgoetten it usually takes CBs especially a bit of time to adjust to EPL football. Not saying he is the answer but seems people are writing him off as a failure already a little premature no?
 
Rood said:
Jones is far above Keane, but then for me Keane is better than either Blackett or McNair who are both getting game time at the moment - unfortunately he made a few mistakes in preseason and that sealed his fate.
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Jones is only one year older than Keane, but Keane is one year older than Blackett and two years older than Mc Nair, and for what I saw Blackett and Mc Nair are better than him. I don't mean that they will turn into Vidic + Ferdinand, but better than him.
 
Cassidy said:
Have we already written Rojo off? I think we'll get someone in, however it seems people have forgoetten it usually takes CBs especially a bit of time to adjust to EPL football. Not saying he is the answer but seems people are writing him off as a failure already a little premature no?
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No, thats not what I'm saying. I'm saying Keane will absolutely think he can compete with Rojo right now because Rojo hasn't been solid yet. Obviously we can hope he improves because there are good things about him, they are just overshadowed by suicidal play that will cost us. But there are no guarantees that Rojo cuts it out and becomes a solid option, so an improving Keane could absolutely get in.

Lets remember that Rojo was signed and often plays because he's left footed and with Keane not being left footed they might not even directly compete for a place often. But its just an example of us spending money on a CB that we went out of our way to get and was fairly expensive all things considered and he hasn't done the business yet so a young player like Keane will feel they have a chance. We dont know if the next guy will be any more convincing than Rojo has been and therefore Keane wont automatically have no chance to get into the team if we sign someone. They have to actually do the business to make that a reality
 
Rood said:
Jones is far above Keane, but then for me Keane is better than either Blackett or McNair who are both getting game time at the moment - unfortunately he made a few mistakes in preseason and that sealed his fate.
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Not just preseason. He had an absolute nightmare when we got knocked out of the Carling Cup.

Glad to hear he's doing well on loan. Young defender in improving with regular games in a settled defence shocker.
 
Ekeke said:
We will obviously get someone, but whether they will be solid is another matter. Rojo hasnt been, who knows if the next guy will be? We've clearly prioritised spending on midfielders and attackers so far and that doesnt mean we're going to do the same with defenders now. Lots of teams spend more on midfielders and attackers than defenders

Also we bent over backwards to get Rojo so he was clearly a very important part of plan A. We wouldnt do that for a squad player
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We don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to sign a good player and as soon as we sign one no matter what the price is it only creates more competition. If all our CB’s turn out to be not good enough or injury prone then obviously Keane has more of a chance but he would start next season 5th choice at best and would be relying on injuries, Rojo not improving, new signing(s) not working out etc before he even gets a chance.

I like Keane but it’s a long shot that he will ever get given a good chance in the first team and he is too good to be playing in the reserves so if I were him I would move on. I want to see youngsters get a chance but the only way I see anyone getting much of a look in is if they are exceptional or are in the right place at the right time, it will be hard enough for Januzaj and Wilson let alone every other youngster.

We wanted Vermaelen ahead of Rojo and LVG was desperate for a left sided CB so no indication he was Plan A and I think it is understandable we did everything to sign him whether he was bought to be first choice or not. I expect at least one CB to be signed who will be first choice and whoever is left will compete for the other position (hoping we go back to a back 4).
 
Chaky_Best said:
Jones is only one year older than Keane, but Keane is one year older than Blackett and two years older than Mc Nair, and for what I saw Blackett and Mc Nair are better than him. I don't mean that they will turn into Vidic + Ferdinand, but better than him.
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Well I am a fan of McNair, not so much Blackett though - I dont agree that either are better than Keane at this point in time but who knows in the future.

Worth noting that Keane is a regular for England U21s whereas Blackett was not even in the last squad.


Pogue Mahone said:
Not just preseason. He had an absolute nightmare when we got knocked out of the Carling Cup.

Glad to hear he's doing well on loan. Young defender in improving with regular games in a settled defence shocker.
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True but the whole team were horrendous that night - in fact I remember that Evans was the worst of the lot and he was supposed to be the senior player in defence!

Either way I think that LvG has probably already made up his mind and wont stand in the way of Keane leaving
 
Rood said:
Well I am a fan of McNair, not so much Blackett though - I dont agree that either are better than Keane at this point in time but who knows in the future.

Worth noting that Keane is a regular for England U21s whereas Blackett was not even in the last squad.




True but the whole team were horrendous that night - in fact I remember that Evans was the worst of the lot and he was supposed to be the senior player in defence!

Either way I think that LvG has probably already made up his mind and wont stand in the way of Keane leaving
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From preseason and earlier in the season Keane didn't do himself any favours.
 
Chaky_Best said:
Jones is only one year older than Keane, but Keane is one year older than Blackett and two years older than Mc Nair, and for what I saw Blackett and Mc Nair are better than him. I don't mean that they will turn into Vidic + Ferdinand, but better than him.
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From what I saw of him at Burnley against PL attackers his current level is surely above both McNair and Blackett.Not saying he's definitely a better talent than them given he's older but you don't sell youngster who can perform well at the same level you're playing at.
 
I also think he has a better chance of becoming a top player than either McNair or Blackett.
 
Rood said:
True but the whole team were horrendous that night - in fact I remember that Evans was the worst of the lot and he was supposed to be the senior player in defence!

Either way I think that LvG has probably already made up his mind and wont stand in the way of Keane leaving
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It was one of many 352 horror shows this season. Where semi-competent footballers defended like schoolboys. He did have an absolute nightmare though.

I disagree that it sealed his fate, mind you. Getting a loan deal to another PL club is usually a good sign that a player is in our long term plans.
 
khoazany said:
From what I saw of him at Burnley against PL attackers his current level is surely above both McNair and Blackett.Not saying he's definitely a better talent than them given he's older but you don't sell youngster who can perform well at the same level you're playing at.
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It’s harder to judge one of our fringe players ability when they are playing for a Club other than United, the expectancy and level of pressure is far higher at a team like United, also the way the team is set up will can also give a false impression on the players ability, for example at United the team is set up to attack were as at Burnley the team is set up in a defensive mode.

Saying that it’s great to see him doing so well, and if he keeps up the performances I’m sure LVG will give him his chance to prove his worth.
 
khoazany said:
From what I saw of him at Burnley against PL attackers his current level is surely above both McNair and Blackett.Not saying he's definitely a better talent than them given he's older but you don't sell youngster who can perform well at the same level you're playing at.
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That's not really true. We've sold plenty of youngsters who were capable of performing well at the same level we're playing at (and have gone on to do exactly that). Shawcroft, Gibson, Brady, Cambell, Barkley, Richardson etc.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
That's not really true. We've sold plenty of youngsters who were capable of performing well at the same level we're playing at (and have gone on to do exactly that). Shawcroft, Gibson, Brady, Cambell, Barkley, Richardson etc.
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Most of them are given real chances with us but they didn't take it (Brady played in the PL two years after he was sold so not really counted).Keane was given 45 min cameo in which he's decent and a League Cup match so far and that's it.I still believe Shawcross would do a job for us if we kept him (which Fergie agreed).I'm not saying Keane will definitely become good enough but at least he should be given chances like McNair/Blackett.
 
khoazany said:
From what I saw of him at Burnley against PL attackers his current level is surely above both McNair and Blackett.Not saying he's definitely a better talent than them given he's older but you don't sell youngster who can perform well at the same level you're playing at.
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McNair and Blackett are only playing because of injuries, if our CB’s were fit neither would have played a league game this season and I think both would find It difficult to hold down a starting place at any Premier League side. Keane is the best of the 3 at this time but he is nearly 22 and if he isn’t going to get given a chance (which realistically I don’t think he will be) then it’s time to sell him and let his career develop as I don’t see the benefit of another season on loan or a year in the reserves.
 
Roboc7 said:
McNair and Blackett are only playing because of injuries, if our CB’s were fit neither would have played a league game this season and I think both would find It difficult to hold down a starting place at any Premier League side. Keane is the best of the 3 at this time but he is nearly 22 and if he isn’t going to get given a chance (which realistically I don’t think he will be) then it’s time to sell him and let his career develop as I don’t see the benefit of another season on loan or a year in the reserves.
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Personally I think McNair and Blackett need to go on loan next season and if we sell Evans for examples there's definitely a place for Keane even with new signing (if we're in CL we will have more games and there's no evidence that we will suddenly stop getting those injury crisis every bloody year).You're right about he needs to go if we're not going to leave a spot for him in the squad next season.
 
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Pogue Mahone said:
It was one of many 352 horror shows this season. Where semi-competent footballers defended like schoolboys. He did have an absolute nightmare though.

I disagree that it sealed his fate, mind you. Getting a loan deal to another PL club is usually a good sign that a player is in our long term plans.
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In the past it has been, we have to wait and see how LvG views the whole loan system.

If it was upto me I would bring back Keane and probably send Blackett (or McNair) on loan.
 
Rood said:
In the past it has been, we have to wait and see how LvG views the whole loan system.

If it was upto me I would bring back Keane and probably send Blackett (or McNair) on loan.
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Yup. Bearing in mind their ages (Keane 22, Blackett 20, Keane 19) it makes sense that the younger two get loan in the next season or two. I agree with the poster above who said the fact they're playing so much has been down to all the injuries. I doubt anyone expected they would have played so much football at this point. I'm sure Keane was seen as the more accomplished player, which is why he was loaned to a PL club and the other two weren't.

Remains to be seen if anyone reckons he's good enough for first team football next season. He seems to be doing all the right things though. Would be strange if he became a first team regular and his brother didn't. A bit like Rafael and Fabio. The less highly rated sibling turns out the better player.
 
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khoazany said:
Personally I think McNair and Blackett need to go on loan next season and if we sell Evans for examples there's definitely a place for Keane even with new signing (if we're in CL we will have more games and there's no evidence that we will suddenly stop getting those injury crisis every bloody year).You're right about he needs to go if we're not going to leave a spot for him in the squad next season.
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I agree a loan spell for both would be beneficial but any youngster who gets to 21-22 and isn’t being given a chance should be considering moving on, especially if they have done well on loan like Keane. Shawcross developed into a player good enough to have been a squad player at Utd but not convinced he would’ve been as good a player if had stayed and been confined to the reserves or cup games. There possibly is room for him here next season but given the injuries I actually think going on loan this season cost him his best chance to impress LVG as he may well have played instead of McNair.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Yup. Bearing in mind their ages (Keane 22, Blackett 20, Keane 19) it makes sense that the younger two get loan in the next season or two. I agree with the poster above who said the fact they're playing so much has been down to all the injuries. I doubt anyone expected they would have played so much football at this point. I'm sure Keane was seen as the more accomplished player, which is why he was loaned to a PL club and the other two weren't.

Remains to be seen if anyone reckons he's good enough for first team football next season. He seems to be doing all the right things though. Would be strange if he became a first team regular and his brother didn't. A bit like Rafael and Fabio. The less highly rated sibling turns out the better player.
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McNair :smirk:
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Yup. Bearing in mind their ages (Keane 22, Blackett 20, Keane 19) it makes sense that the younger two get loan in the next season or two. I agree with the poster above who said the fact they're playing so much has been down to all the injuries. I doubt anyone expected they would have played so much football at this point. I'm sure Keane was seen as the more accomplished player, which is why he was loaned to a PL club and the other two weren't.

Remains to be seen if anyone reckons he's good enough for first team football next season. He seems to be doing all the right things though. Would be strange if he became a first team regular and his brother didn't. A bit like Rafael and Fabio. The less highly rated sibling turns out the better player.
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Wasn't that the case with the Nevilles too? I seem to remember Fergie saying that Phil would turn out to be the better player.
 
Roboc7 said:
I agree a loan spell for both would be beneficial but any youngster who gets to 21-22 and isn’t being given a chance should be considering moving on, especially if they have done well on loan like Keane. Shawcross developed into a player good enough to have been a squad player at Utd but not convinced he would’ve been as good a player if had stayed and been confined to the reserves or cup games. There possibly is room for him here next season but given the injuries I actually think going on loan this season cost him his best chance to impress LVG as he may well have played instead of McNair.
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You don't think LVG is keeping a close eye on how our loanees are getting on?

If anything, going on loan and avoiding the cluster-feck that is our defence this season will have been better for his reputation than staying put!
 
Pogue Mahone said:
You don't think LVG is keeping a close eye on how our loanees are getting on?

If anything, going on loan and avoiding the cluster-feck that is our defence this season will have been better for his reputation than staying put!
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He has only played 10 or 11 games at Burnley he could probably have played a similar amount here if he had stayed with more games still to come. Most youngsters won’t get that chance, McNair and Blackett might never play as many games for Utd as they will this season so I think Keane may well have missed his best opportunity. It might be a cluster-feck but LVG would have seen him in every game, doubt he will have watched even half the games he has played for Burnley but I see your point.
 
Roboc7 said:
He has only played 10 or 11 games at Burnley he could probably have played a similar amount here if he had stayed with more games still to come. Most youngsters won’t get that chance, McNair and Blackett might never play as many games for Utd as they will this season so I think Keane may well have missed his best opportunity. It might be a cluster-feck but LVG would have seen him in every game, doubt he will have watched even half the games he has played for Burnley but I see your point.
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Keane played in pre-season and went on tour did he not?
Blackett was chosen over him, for some reason LVG didn't fancy him, infact I remember he said something regarding Keane not being ready and Blackett being someone who is ready but needs more experience and he ended up going out on loan.
You're right he may have actually got a chance due to injuries though since McNair came through that way, however its not a given. McNair was chosen over Thorpe who everyone was convinced was the next one to come through.

EDIT: I fully expect Keane to be sold.
 
Cassidy said:
Keane played in pre-season and went on tour did he not?
Blackett was chosen over him, for some reason LVG didn't fancy him, infact I remember he said something regarding Keane not being ready and Blackett being someone who is ready but needs more experience and he ended up going out on loan.
You're right he may have actually got a chance due to injuries though since McNair came through that way, however its not a given. McNair was chosen over Thorpe who everyone was convinced was the next one to come through.

EDIT: I fully expect Keane to be sold.
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Or felt he was better able to handle a PL loan.

It's also possible that we wouldn't let Blackett go on loan as he's left-footed and would help with this "balance" that Van Gaal keeps going on about.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Or felt he was better able to handle a PL loan.

It's also possible that we wouldn't let Blackett go on loan as he's left-footed and would help with this "balance" that Van Gaal keeps going on about.
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Blackett was starting games and Keane was on the bench before he went on loan. Obv the left footed thing was the key there, but its was apparent in how LVG spoke about the two that he didn't exactly fancy Keane.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Or felt he was better able to handle a PL loan.

It's also possible that we wouldn't let Blackett go on loan as he's left-footed and would help with this "balance" that Van Gaal keeps going on about.
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I think we can safely say it is not that. It may well be a lot to do with the whole left foot thing but in general it is pretty clear that LvG chose Blackett over Keane. Although I dont agree with that, based on preseason I can see why he made that decision.

We dont really know how much LvG is monitoring the loan players, I wouldnt be suprised if he has written off the likes of Keane and Powell already - I suppose we will find out soon enough.
 
Rood said:
I think we can safely say it is not that. It may well be a lot to do with the whole left foot thing but in general it is pretty clear that LvG chose Blackett over Keane. Although I dont agree with that, based on preseason I can see why he made that decision.

We dont really know how much LvG is monitoring the loan players, I wouldnt be suprised if he has written off the likes of Keane and Powell already - I suppose we will find out soon enough.
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The club would be crazy not to keep a very close eye on such valuable assets (their most valuable assets!). Even if Van Gaal isn't personally watching their games you can bet your arse he'll be getting very detailed reports. Henriquez confirmed as much over the summer.

The former Universidad man also revealed that he is in regular contact with United authorities and the coaches. He has been asked to provide every detail of his time in Zagreb, including his diet and the intensity of Dinamo's training program.

"I have constant contact with people from Manchester United. Not (Louis) van Gaal, but people from Carrington, the coaches. They want to know every detail – from the intensity of training here, diet, life in Zagreb," he added.
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Stands to reason they'll be even more clued in on how Keane is getting on at Burnley and I would be amazed if a manager who is so proud of youth development isn't keeping a very close eye on those reports.

But yeah, it's a fair point about Blackett keeping Keane out of the team before he went on loan. Could be because he's left-footed or because he impressed Van Gaal more in the summer. Either way, Van Gaal's had plenty of chances to see Blackett's flaws while Keane is developing into a solid PL defender, so there's every chance he considers Keane the better prospect right now.
 
sincher said:
I also think he has a better chance of becoming a top player than either McNair or Blackett.
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He's inherently better at defending than both of them.

Most people here won't remember Keane's first season on loan at Leicester. They were almost promoted and alongside Morgan, he was integral towards them achieving the best defensive record in the Championship that year.

Barring horrible injury, I have no doubt in my mind that Keane will develop into a solid Premier League footballer. I don't think that will be at United, but I think he'll have an excellent career. I wouldn't bet against him playing for the national team either.
 
According to Squawka's stats, Michael Keane's aerial duel success rate is significantly higher than our other central defenders. He's winning 78.5% compared to Blackett 64%, Smalling 63.6%, Jones 61%, Rojo 60%, McNair 57%, while Jonny Evans 47.8%. On interceptions per 90 mins, Phil Jones and Rojo are first and 2nd, Michael Keane some distance behind in 3rd just ahead of Smalling and Blackett, Evans is last in that category too.

Pass completion rate Michael Keane miles down on the others. He's at 77% while all the rest are 85% - 90%. Average length of pass very similar with all between 20-23m. Smalling has both the highest success rate and the longest average pass length.

Fouls committed. Michael Keane lowest 0.36. Next Evans 0.76. Phil Jones highest number 1.45 per 90 mins.
 
2 things I'll say go massively in this lads favour:

1. He likes defending and doesn't mind crunching/being crunched.
2. He's got a pretty decent injury record.
 
Actually I'd say one area he needs to improve is the tackling, based on what I've seen of him at Burnley. There have been a few occasions where his tackle attempt was too feeble and his opponent got past too easily. The rest of his defending is pretty good but he's let himself down there once or twice
 
Keane will get his chance. Ill be shocked if Van Gaal let him go, year by year he is showing improvement.
 
kundalini said:
According to Squawka's stats, Michael Keane's aerial duel success rate is significantly higher than our other central defenders. He's winning 78.5% compared to Blackett 64%, Smalling 63.6%, Jones 61%, Rojo 60%, McNair 57%, while Jonny Evans 47.8%. On interceptions per 90 mins, Phil Jones and Rojo are first and 2nd, Michael Keane some distance behind in 3rd just ahead of Smalling and Blackett, Evans is last in that category too.

Pass completion rate Michael Keane miles down on the others. He's at 77% while all the rest are 85% - 90%. Average length of pass very similar with all between 20-23m. Smalling has both the highest success rate and the longest average pass length.

Fouls committed. Michael Keane lowest 0.36. Next Evans 0.76. Phil Jones highest number 1.45 per 90 mins.
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It's not very often that stats sum up the situation well but they do here. Evans can't head the ball for toffee and Jones makes too many silly fouls.

I like the fact Keane can head the ball. Too many pussies at this club fail to do the basic thing with consistency.
 
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