Manchester United have a new striker pushing for first team chances next season, and it could accelerate Michael Owen’s departure.
Keane is a famous surname for any player to have to live up at Old Trafford of all players, so it is fortunate for United’s latest prospect that he is a striker rather than a midfielder.
His progress in United’s youth team and reserves has hit a point where he will have no option but to be involved with the first team next season or go out on loan.
Whether he will be fast tracked- or take the Danny Welbeck route, at this point, it is difficult to tell.
Keane is already on the first team fringes, featuring as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Eve as United chased a goal in their 3-2 loss.
He has not featured since, spending time back in the reserves, scoring four goals in midweek against a Newcastle side in a 6-3 victory.
When a player bags four goals in a reserve game it is a fair indication they are a notch above that level, and deserve a shot at first team football.
19-year-old Keane, an England under-21 international is just that, and at another club with less competition for places he may already have been given a shot.
In front of him at present at Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Federico Macheda.
Next season three of these could be gone, with Berbatov’s exit more or less already guaranteed.
Macheda will be loaned out again if Ferguson’s latest comments are anything to go by, leaving just a question mark over Michael Owen.
Owen remains a deadly finisher, but he is no use to United if he is in the treatment room, and this summer is the ideal time to part ways.
Owen’s presence will only stunt the development of young strikers like Keane if he stands in his way of first team football.
In fact what Ferguson decides to do with Owen may correlate specifically with his plans for Keane.
If he wants to keep Keane, he may choose to get rid of Owen, but if he elects to loan Keane out, Owen may get a reprieve.
There is still a possibility United may sign a new striker this summer, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Leandro Damiao two names linked.
Even so, if Macheda goes on loan, and Owen and Berbatov go, there can still be space for Keane. Even this season Owen is fifth striker and still warrants a squad place.
For United fans if Keane does make the breakthrough it will be another academy success. After watching so many players make it through the years, the club had seen no strikers force their way into the first team until Danny Welbeck.
Keane will hope to make it two.
Watch this video of Will Keane in action
Should it be Owen out Keane in next season?
image: © Paolo Camera
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