Michael Keane to turn down emotional return to Manchester United to keep Russia World Cup dream alive
Centre-back Victor Lindelof is expected to arrive at Old Trafford from Benfica this summer and take up a key role in the defence
BURNLEY defender Micheal Keane is set to turn down a return to Manchester United as he fears he won't play enough ahead of next year's World Cup.
United announced last week they have agreed a deal with Benfica for Swedish international Victor Lindelof - a move that has left Keane unsure about a return to Old Trafford.
SunSport has been told United boss Jose Mourinho still wants the England international back at the club next season, despite the Swede's arrival.
But with Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones already at the club, Keane is not convinced he will get the game time he wants ahead of the World Cup in Russia.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton were set to lose out on the defender, who looked odds-on rejoin United. before the signing of Lindelolf.
Those offers on the table will now be reassessed by the defender and his representatives, who realise Keane will need to be playing regular football to have a chance of starting for England next summer.
Keane moved to Turf Moor from Old Trafford for £2million in 2015, and United inserted a clause entitling them to 25 per cent of any future sell-on.
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Effectively a potential deal to bring him back results in a discount on a fee agreed between the clubs, something that was attractive to Mourinho and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
It's a huge decision for the Stockport-born defender to make. He is a United fan who came through the academy ranks at Carrington and won the FA Youth Cup with Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in 2011.
Keane has broken into Gareth Southgate's England set-up, so with that in mind he will only join a club he will play regularly for next season.
Sources close to the player have been impressed with his maturity, and his ability to separate the chance of an emotional return to United and to kick on with his career playing regular football.