Will Keane Ready to Kickstart Manchester United Career After Nightmare Injury

Manchester United starlet Will Keane has urged manager Louis van Gaal to give him a first-team chance or let him move on loan to continue his development abroad.

The 21-year-old forward used to be considered one of the biggest gems in English football, after Sir Alex Ferguson handed him his senior debut in December 2011 during a 3-2 defeat to Blackburn.

However, a serious cruciate ligament in his knee while playing for England Under-19s in June 2012, stopped Keane's development, forcing him to be on the side-line for 16 months.

But after making the USA tour with the first-team and starting the season with the Under 21 side on a high, Keane is still confident on re-establishing his career at Old Trafford.

"I know in the grand scheme of things I'm only 21 and I've got my whole career ahead of me. I just have to be patient and not rush out back on loan again. I just have to do it when I feel ready," Keane said, according to Manchester United official website.

Having spent last season on loan at Wigan and at QPR, the United starlet now urged van Gaal for a chance prove his worth at the first-team - or to move away to a top-flight side on loan.

With Radamel Falcao, Robin Van Persie, Wayner Rooney, and Juan Mata up-front, Keane is aware of the big competence at Old Trafford but believes he is ready to fight for a place in van Gaal's squad.

"There are a lot of top players in the squad at the moment but it's been shown, if you do well, you will get an opportunity. For me, I want to get out there and play consistently, and then prove myself again. Eventually, I will look to go on loan to get competitive senior games there - week in and week out - that's the aim," Keane said,

"If I'm doing well, there is no reason why I can't get my opportunity here as well. The manager [Louis van Gaal] has given first-team debuts to seven players from the Academy this season which is a great stat and it only brings confidence to all the young players. It gives them the belief that, if they do well, they will get the chance. I feel great and I'm just raring to go and play games. I'm hungry for it."

Nevertheless, van Gaal has been credited during his long career with trusting and nurturing new talent, and he has already handed first-team opportunities to a number of United academy youngsters including Tyler Blackett and Paul McNair.