Michael Keane

Michael Vincent Keane (born 11 January 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Everton and the England national team.

Keane has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 level, as well as England at under-20, under-21 and senior levels. He was named as Manchester United's Reserve Player of the Year in 2012.

Keane was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester. He signed a professional contract at Manchester United on his 18th birthday on 11 January 2011, and made his first-team debut in the League Cup on 25 October 2011, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute in United's fourth round victory over Aldershot Town. On 28 January 2012 he was again named on the bench, this time against rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup. However, he was an unused substitute and the match finished 2–1 to Liverpool.

He started a first-team match for the first time against Newcastle United in the League Cup on 26 September 2012, playing alongside Scott Wootton as a centre-back. Following the match, teammate Darren Fletcher praised him for being "fantastic".

Keane won the award for the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year in 2012. He was the clear winner with 60% of the votes, beating Jesse Lingard (24%) and Larnell Cole (16%). He made 27 appearances in all competitions for the reserve team in the 2011–12 season, during which he scored five goals. The reserve team won the Reserve League North and the national play-off final that season. Keane told MUTV: "I was surprised but really pleased to win the award. It's great to know that it's been voted for by the fans, because they come to watch us and follow us throughout the season."