Everton defender Michael Keane is set to face his former club, Manchester United, after signing a new deal over the summer.
Everton face Manchester United on Monday night as David Moyes’ side return to Premier League action.
The Toffees beat Fulham before the international break and are now looking for a big away win.
Ex-United midfielder James Garner will be in action, and he is not the only former Red Devil in the Everton side.
Defender Michael Keane came through the United ranks and will look to take his former club down on Monday night.
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Keane stayed at Everton over the summer, signing a new one-year deal to start at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
This has been an impressive start to the season for Keane, not just defensively, but also with his attacking output.
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Keane has scored twice already this season, offering a major threat from set pieces.
The 32-year-old would love to continue that kind of form against United and continue a fine start to the campaign.
Everton defender Michael Keane.
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Many thought that Keane would be on his way out of Everton, and he seemingly felt the same way.
Speaking to Daily Star Sunday (23/11, p47), Keane claims that Everton were actually close to signing another defender to take his place.
However, the deal fell through, and Everton extended Keane’s deal, which has certainly paid dividends so far.
“I thought that there was a really good chance I wasn’t coming back,” said Keane.
“Nothing was ever definite, but I was looking at options, and I think the club were looking at options, too. That went on for quite a long period.
“I had a few offers and, from what I hear, the club were quite close to signing somebody else, but for whatever reason, that didn’t happen and things got sorted.
“In the end, I think it was the best thing for me, though I couldn’t have imagined how well it’s worked out so far,” he added.
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Who did Everton try to sign in defence?
Everton were allegedly in talks to sign Lyanco from Atletico Mineiro, but that rumour only came weeks after Keane stayed put.
The Brazilian can be ruled out as being the mystery man, but perhaps it was actually Kenny Tete.
Tete is a right-back by trade and came to the end of his Fulham contract over the summer.
Tete agreed to join Everton, but pulled a late U-turn and signed a new Fulham deal instead.
Everton’s plan may have been to allow Keane to leave, bring in Tete, and move Jake O’Brien to centre-back.
Instead, Tete snubbed Everton and potentially caused a rethink, leading to Keane staying.
Everton still need to find a right-back in 2026, but handing a new deal to Keane has worked out very well so far.