Manchester United gave Michael Keane his debut under Sir Alex Ferguson, but now Burnley defender wants to dent their title hopes

MICHAEL KEANE knows all about Man United, having played with Paul Pogba in the academy.

He credits ‘brilliant’ Sir Alex Ferguson, who gave him his debut, with allowing him to build a successful career in the game.

Keane told The Times: “If you walked past him in the corridor, he’d always stop to ask how you were doing, even when I was a really young lad.

“Sir Alex gave me the confidence to go and play. I was only 18 and he brought me on against Aldershot [in the Carling Cup], then started me against Newcastle and Chelsea.

I did really well and he always gave me compliments. He said, ‘Learn from these brilliant centre halves in front of you [like Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand].’

And the legendary United defenders taught him how to deal with more physical strikers like Bolton’s Kevin Davies.

He said: “Davies was a big strong lad and I couldn’t get round him and win headers. so Vida just gave me tips like, ‘When the ball’s in the air the referee won’t necessarily be looking at you, so give him a little push to get him off-balance’ and ‘jump early so he has to foul you.’

“I played against [Davies] since, and I won a lot of headers against him. Rio was my idol growing up. He was brilliant with the young lads. Rio helps me all the time.”

But everything changed under Louis Van Gaal, who Keane says was fair, but also ‘ruthless’.

Shortly after the Dutchman arrived, Keane played in a 4-0 loss to Dele Alli-inspired MK Dons and he knew his time was up at the club.

He recalled: “Van Gaal was fair with everyone, whether it was me or Wayne Rooney, the biggest name at the club, but he was harsh.

“I never spoke to Van Gaal. It was disappointing. I’d have liked to see what he thought and hear it from him.”

Keane returns to Old Trafford with Burnley today and has warned the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford that he will know everything about them.

He said: “The night before the game I watch players I’m directly up against to see their traits: are they poachers or like to shoot from long range, right foot, left foot?

“If Chelsea get a corner, Diego Costa might not win the first ball, but he’s always on his toes to get in the middle for the second ball so you have to be wary.

“Alexis Sánchez can be quiet for 89 minutes and then do something brilliant.

“Romelu Lukaku is strong, holds up play, doesn’t run in behind too much even though he has the pace.”

But one player Keane won’t need to look up on Youtube is Paul Pogba, who he played with in the Red Devils’ academy.

And he couldn’t believe United sold the Frenchman to Juventus.

He said: “You could see back then the talent that he had, the physique, the feet. He had everything. For United to let him go was a massive shock. I’d have thought they would have done everything possible to keep hold of him.

After starring at Juventus, Pogba did get a second chance to prove himself at a regretful United.

So does Keane believe he could end up back in a United shirt one day?

He answered:  “It would be a dream but I don’t think it will happen. I don’t think United will want to make a habit of doing that [re-signing academy players that didn’t make the grade] but you never know.”

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