Don't really know enough about the lad but weren't most in the know massively surprised that LVG ignored him in favour of Blackett and McNair?

I think selling him was the right choice, would he have developed to this level sitting on the bench playing once a month if that?

The only mistake was not putting a buy back clause. Dont know how much you sold him for but for example if you sold him for £5Mil you should have put a £10Mil buy back clause.

I havent seen much of Keane this season but when he was involved in the first team with us,and it was very rare I admit,he looked a bag or nerves and technically didnt look particularly great.

But if he's playing great and has improved well over the course of the past season and a half then fair play to him.I obviously wrote him off far too quickly.

Still would prefer a more established,experienced CB though.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 4 minutes ago
Don't really know enough about the lad but weren't most in the know massively surprised that LVG ignored him in favour of Blackett and McNair?
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Stunned me.... I watched alot of reserve footy, back then,. and he was alot better than either of those and was probably the best CB I had seen in the reserves for a good few years, proper captain material too.

I'm done trying to second guess the reserve level though.... I guess something didn't suit LvG.

Can TFM's opportunities be any more reduced?

Do we really see Jose putting faith in any of our young players ... we can hope and rate them obv, but do we really believe he will?

Robb's incoming with the Rashfords played more blah blah blah... but other than game time on the pitch I'm not sure the minutes out wide have done him any more good as sub appearances up front would.

I'd rather not buy a centre back at all tbh... but if we are I'd rather Keane than 50 million on Lindelof

Ji

I can only think that he didn't have the ability to pass it around at the back enough for LVG.

I vaguely remember him in the MK Dons game where he poor but then the whole team were that night.

Heaton is the one that got away who bails out Keane most games. Burnley probably on course to have near a premierleague record for allowing shots this season lol. Its between them and Sunderland.

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 6 minutes ago
Ji

I can only think that he didn't have the ability to pass it around at the back enough for LVG.
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and , of course, the fatal flaw of being right footed

comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 6 minutes ago
Heaton is the one that got away who bails out Keane most games.
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Shut up, Meg

Yeah, the Rojo signing kinda goes against the idea LVG only wanted ball playing CBs, it's as if the only reason he was bought was simply being left footed.

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 11 minutes ago
Ji

I can only think that he didn't have the ability to pass it around at the back enough for LVG.
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This explanation aligns with my view on Keane.

Great backs to the wall defender - like Jones at Blackburn. Not suited to a higher line because he's not comfortable on the football at this level.

Yeah, the Rojo signing kinda goes against the idea LVG only wanted ball playing CBs, it's as if the only reason he was bought was simply being left footed

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Rojo was bought because of his versatility at CB and LB. Plus LVG had big plans for him as the left CB in a 3 at the back which backfired

Because we didn't have enough LBs as it was? That summer we also bought the first choice LBs for England and Holland then the Italian first choice LB the year after.

LVG liked his left backs.

And we arguably still need a new LB!

And he converted Young into a fullback.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I preferred it when we used Young as a striker.

He's always looked a great talent, and those who follow United's Academy and Reserve setups will tell you we've probably only seen two other players that have looked close to his level at centreback in the last ten years or so.

Those two are Tim Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe.

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I would include Tom Thorpe in that, in fact I would maybe go as far as saying that Thorpe is top of my list in terms of CBs I've seen at reserve level because of his consistency and class. Like Tuanzebe now, everything looked far too easy for Thorpe at that level.

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So whilst people are (possibly rightly) suggesting that it was a mistake letting Keane go rather than continuing to develop him, can they also explain to me the logic in spending what would now likely be upwards of £25m to bring back yet another graduate we should have retained as 3rd/4th choice centreback, when doing so would mean reduced opportunities for TFM and/or Tuanzebe.

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Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe haven't been given any opportunity to play at CB so even if we lost one or both of Jones or Smalling which I'd be fine with if it meant Keane coming back to the club, it probably wouldn't have much of an impact on them anyway because I don't think they'll get much of a look in and I don't see Fosu-Mensah as a CB anyway as you know.

Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe haven't been given any opportunity to play at CB so even if we lost one or both of Jones or Smalling which I'd be fine with if it meant Keane coming back to the club, it probably wouldn't have much of an impact on them anyway because I don't think they'll get much of a look in and I don't see Fosu-Mensah as a CB anyway as you know.
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It's a good point, if Jose doesn't see those two as CB options, then it doesn't matter if we bring Keane or anyone else in, really.

If we do go in for Keane, hopefully the club will begin to realise the value of buy back clauses!

Great backs to the wall defender - like Jones at Blackburn. Not suited to a higher line because he's not comfortable on the football at this level.

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From what I've seen of Keane in his time at Burnley, especially this season, I'd say that claim doesn't hold up much weight tbh, in fact I think it's a bit lazy if anything. He's improved a hell of a lot over the last couple of years or so.

During the international break, his distribution short and long was on point and apart from one moment against Germany when Sane managed to get in behind him, he was flawless playing in a higher line than he would be normally used to. His positioning was good and was able to read and clear any danger in front of him and behind.

He looked very assured and confident in everything he did in his first two senior appearances at international level.

LVG liked to play a high line so Keane would be shocking at that as he is one of the worst readers of the game their is hence why he is always having to throw his body in the way with last ditch challenges.

LVG liked defenders on the front foot to keep his high territorial game, not a defender that backs off with the attacker like Keane.

I can't wait for Ji's response to that one Hafi.

Burnley are one of the most defensive teams in premierleague history with usually 10 men behind the ball while LVG Man Utd probably broke a premierleague record last season for playing so much of the game so high up the pitch. Burnley defensive block is near the penalty box, last season our defensive block was more near the half way line. Keane reminds me of Cahill as in throw his body in the way type of defender.