Manchester United have missed one of the roads to the Champions League next season but do not seem to have a problem luring top-class talent to the club. According to reports today, they have managed to seal the transfer of one of the most wanted stars in the Premier League, Michael Keane.
Kicked out of Old Trafford by former manager Louis van Gaal in 2015, Keane joined Sean Dyche and Ben Mee at the Turf Moor and managed to establish a strong centre-back partnership that has kept the Clarets in the top flight for another season.
The English defender has been immense, playing in a compact setup at Burnley and has easily been one of the best players in his position in England this season. Dominating his area and showing aggression when needed, Keane has shown how a centre-half in the Premier League should go about his business and it does not come as a surprise that every top club in the Premier League has scouted him recently.
Known for his strength and concentration at the back, Keane is a no nonsense defender and though he might reduce the ability of his team to set up attacks from the back, he will certainly make them a more potent force, saving their goal.
Jose Mourinho spent on Eric Bailly at the start of the season and the youngster has responded well, cementing a place in the first team. But neither Chris Smalling nor Phil Jones, have been able to convince the manager, leaving Mourinho to search the transfer market for another defender.
A number of defenders have been linked with a move to Old Trafford over a year but it now looks like Manchester United will stick with Keane for the next season.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Keane will move back to Old Trafford for around £25m, having left the club for just £2m not so long ago. He will also reportedly be paid a weekly wage of £100,000 in his new deal, making him one of the highest-paid defenders in the league.
Keane is a boyhood Manchester United fan and will jump at a chance to prove himself at the club yet again but this deal will mean that Manchester United will spend close to £114m on their former player in the last couple of transfer windows.
Paul Pogba, the £89m buy is slowly finding some form while Keane’s English league experience should help him settle in rather quickly, but can United justify their transfer policies?
