Everton newcomer Keane admits temptation to re-join Manchester United
Michael Keane considered returning to Manchester United when he weighed up his options this summer, but decided Everton was the best place to continue his development.
The centre-back left Burnley for Merseyside for a potential club-record £30-million fee on Monday, but revealed that the option to return to United - where he collected the 2010-11 FA Youth Cup alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard - was on the table.
Related: Everton strikes potential club-record £30M deal to sign Keane
"Of course it was a temptation (to join Manchester United) - it's your boyhood club but you have got to take your heart out of it sometimes and think what's best for you, and I feel as if this is the best place for me to come and continue my development," Keane told Sky Sports News HQ.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
"It's a club with such big history and a great fan base so I can't wait to pull on the shirt and play for this club."
At Goodison Park, Keane hopes his new manager Ronald Koeman, the former defender-sweeper extraordinaire for Barcelona, will "teach me things." The 24-year-old flourished at Burnley last season, earning full international recognition with England and safeguarding his then-club's status in the Premier League with fellow centre-half Ben Mee.
Keane will immediately compete with old campaigners Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka in the heart of Koeman's defence.
Keane's first chance to make his Premier League bow for Everton comes in the visit from Stoke City on Aug. 12.