Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho interested in re-signing former youth team graduate

Manchester United are reportedly interested in re-signing Burnley's Michael Keane. The 23-year-old defender has excelled in the Premier League this season and he has been persistently linked with a big-money move away from the Clarets.

Keane is a product of the United youth academy, but has forged his reputation away from Old Trafford. Indeed, the former England under-21 international made only five first-team appearances for the Reds and instead spent the bulk of his senior career at United on loan at Leicester City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers.

The defender then joined Burnley from United on a permanent transfer in 2015, after a successful loan spell at Turf Moor, and his career has subsequently gone from strength to strength, leading to him being called up to the senior England squad.

Keane − who has also been linked with a move to Chelsea − impressed during Burnley's 0-0 draw against United at Old Trafford, helping to blunt the home side's star-studded attack. And his performance has seemingly caught the eye of United boss Jose Mourinho, who has been keen to sign a new central defender since the summer, according to ESPN.

Keane played with the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard during his formative years at United and he recently revealed he is still in touch with the duo. "It's good that a lot of that team have kept in touch − it was a top team, with a great spirit, and every now and again, when we can, we get together," said Keane, who was part of the United side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2011.

"They were good times, coming through the academy together, but it seems a lifetime ago now and we've done a lot since. I'm a United fan and always will be."