Graeme Souness questions United's decision to let Keane leave Old Trafford in 2015
Sunday 23 April 2017 16:27, UK
Jamie Carragher says Michael Keane would benefit more from joining Everton over returning to Manchester United, should he decide to leave Burnley this summer.
The 25-year-old United Academy product moved to Turf Moor in 2015 after being deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford - and his career has been on an upward trajectory ever since.
Keane gained promotion to the Premier League with Burnley last year and has been instrumental in their bid to avoid relegation.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Gareth Southgate handing Keane his first pair of England caps and talk of a transfer to Everton and United gathering pace.
Carragher accepts the prospect of winning trophies at United may prove too hard for Keane to turn down, but the Sky Sports pundit has stressed the importance of playing regularly.
"It's very difficult to play for a top club at that age because you're learning the game and still making mistakes," Carragher, speaking ahead of United's 2-0 Super Sunday win at Burnley, said.
"I think Burnley has been great for him but it feels like the move is going to happen in the summer. There's talk about Manchester United; I think it would be a big mistake for Keane to go back.
He should go somewhere as the man, the centre-back, who's going to play every week. Would he do that for United? I'm not sure. I think Everton would be perfect.
"I just think he would still be seen as the lad who came through at Old Trafford, whereas, if he goes somewhere for £15m to £20m, he's the big signing.
"Phil Jones, Chris Smalling would know him as the kid from the youth team. He should go somewhere as the man, the centre-back, who's going to play every week. Would he do that for United? I'm not sure.
"There's talk of Everton going for him. I think that'd be perfect. Yes, you want to win trophies but the main thing is to play week in, week out."
Loaned out to Leicester, Derby, Blackburn and Burnley after signing professional terms with United, Keane made just one first-team appearance at Old Trafford before Louis van Gaal sanctioned his departure.
With United lacking consistent defensive options before and after Keane's exit, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness believes a judgement over the centre-back's suitability was reached too early.
"Central defenders don't really come into their own until mid-20s," he added.
"He's obviously got the stature, he can play, he's athletic, he's aggressive. They made their mind up on Keane at 21, and that's early."
