Manchester United could look to sign their next Roy Keane in stunning January move.placeholder image
Manchester United could look to sign their next Roy Keane in stunning January move. | Manchester United via Getty Imag
Manchester United have been linked with an earth-shattering move for one of the world’s best midfielders
Manchester United are firmly in the race for Europe once again, and Ruben Amorim’s side will feel that they are back where they belong in a much-improved second season for the Portuguese thus far.
Comeback victory at Crystal Palace to end the Eagles’ unbeaten home record represented a level of character and fight rarely seen from the Red Devils in recent years, with Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount emerging as unlikely heroes for United in a 2-1 victory. The top four is within touching distance – the Red Devils are just three points behind Aston Villa – and that must now be the aim for the remainder of the season.
Holes within the squad still exist, but Amorim will do all he can to remedy this in the January transfer window if he is afforded the opportunity to build on his summer recruitment of the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, who have adapted to life at Old Trafford to differing levels thus far. If one top target it to become available, United might be prepared to break the bank to secure their next Roy Keane.
Federico Valverde could become United’s new Roy Keane
The name Roy Keane is still revered around the Premier League, such is the legacy that the Irishman left behind in his 13 years starring for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. Winning the Premier League on seven occasions, the FA Cup four times and the Champions League in 1998/99 to secure an iconic Treble, Keane’s impact went far beyond these honours, and he helped define what it meant to be a midfielder in the Premier League era.
While he is renowned in the present day for his leadership skills and ‘hard-man’ personality above all else, those who were lucky enough to watch the 54-year-old play on a weekly basis back in his prime tell that Keane truly had it all. In addition to his strong defensive attributes, Keane was a complete box-to-box midfielder and had underrated technical quality on the ball, able to drive forward and decide games in an attacking sense. His strong record of 51 goals and 41 assists for United clearly evidences this.
While it is near-impossible to recreate a player like Keane in the modern day, arguably one of the closest comparisons currently around exists in Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. United have been linked with the Uruguayan and could see their new Keane arrive at Old Trafford.
Valverde signing could change everything for United
According to reports by Fichajes, the Red Devils are ‘very serious’ about securing a move for Valverde and feel that the Los Blancos star could prove a transformative figure in their midfield, just as Keane was when he signed from Nottingham Forest in 1993.
Real Madrid do not want to sell, but the idea is suggested in the report that if United push hard enough, a deal may not be off the table at the right price – which, according to reports by The Mirror, is believed to be at least £100 million.
The 27-year-old has reportedly fallen out with Xabi Alonso behind the scenes and amidst his fierce leadership qualities and tireless decisive work at both ends of the pitch, he would be an ideal signing for United as they look to upgrade their often-exposed double pivot in midfield.
The prospective impact the signing of Valverde would have is compared by Fichajes to that previously of Casemiro, except greater, due to his age and scope for only growing in stature and importance during his prime years. His leadership and hunger to win are reminiscent of qualities Red Devils fans became accustomed to seeing from Keane during his time at the club.
Keane has previously shown his appreciation for Valverde, praising the midfielder for celebrating winning a tackle while representing his native Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “A good tackle can lift your teammates and lift the crowd because it was such a bad game,” said Keane. “But brilliant. It’s passion and it’s fantastic.”
Viewed as one of the greatest and most complete midfielders in the world, Valverde could become United’s most impactful signing in his position since Keane, if he helps to change the culture and usher in an era of trophy-laden success at Old Trafford.
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