Michael Keane explains why he turned down a return to Manchester United

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"I had to sort of put that to one side and just think rationally about what would be best for me as a footballer."

Michael Keane had options in the summer. The central defender was on the radar of several clubs after an impressive campaign with Burnley last season. Keane excelled as Sean Dyche's side secured their Premier League status, and earned international recognition in the process, making his England debut last March against Germany. Liverpool and Manchester United were linked with a summer transfer for the 24-year-old until he joined Everton for a deal worth an initial £25m.

Many had tipped Keane to return to Old Trafford. The defender left United for Burnley in 2014, after making just one Premier League appearance for the club where he came through the academy. It appeared that Jose Mourinho opted to sign Victor Lindelof instead of Keane. However, the defender has revealed that United was an option for him and that he chose Everton for professional reasons, feeling he would have more opportunities to play at Goodison Park. Keane also said that he's no-longer as big a fan of his old club as he was growing up.

"They (United) were in touch with my agent and showed a lot of interest," Keane told The Times.

"They wanted me, but a few things happened and I thought Everton would be the best place for me to come. I thought I would get a lot of game time here, more than I possibly would at Manchester United, and that was a massive factor in my decision. To be honest, having been at Burnley for three years, I wasn't a fan of the club like I used to be. I wasn't as big a fan of Man United as I had been, so I had to sort of put that to one side and just think rationally about what would be best for me as a footballer."

Keane, like the rest of Everton's summer signings, hasn't made a great start to life at Goodison Park. Ronald Koeman's side have lost three games in a row ahead of Sunday's match with United at Old Trafford.

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Michael Keane explains why he turned down a return to Manchester United

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"I had to sort of put that to one side and just think rationally about what would be best for me as a footballer."

"I had to sort of put that to one side and just think rationally about what would be best for me as a footballer."

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