Manchester United: Will Keane Be Better Than Chelsea's Fernando Torres?

I've many times mentioned the "truckload" of talent coming through the youth ranks at Manchester United.

This was best evidenced by Paul Pogba's composed performance when making his Premier League debut on Tuesday. One feint had the Stretford End gasping in appreciation, together with a few strong runs, a shot and a world-class cross.

It must be hard for these talented lads who are champing at the bit. However, while I regret Ravel Morrison's leaving, he must have tried Sir Alex's patience to the absolute limit to let him go. The court appearances didn't help of course, but his general indiscipline means he will be a trial to Sam Allardyce.

My perception of the differences between Pogba and Morrison include not only that Pogba comes from a more sound family background, well-brought up and guided, but also that Morrison is unbelievably arrogant, as Kieran Richardson was, whereas Pogba seems to be ill-advised at present.

Suffice to say that all the signs are that the outrageously talented Morrison will crash and burn unless he has a 'conversion on the road to Damascus. I say that with no bitterness. He's just plain stupid.

Pogba I believe will stay. If he had scored on Tuesday, the response he got from the crowd would have led him to sign a contract right away. He is intelligent enough to realise that one day he can be regarded in the same way as Paul Scholes. He can be a legend.

Which brings me back to Will Keane.

This is hat-trick against City. 

When we're talking about attitude, Will and Michael Keane are like cheese compared to Morrison's chalk. They have an excellent, respectful manner and their parents can be truly proud of these two Manchester lads, both of whom will one day play for England.

United aren't allowed to broadcast matches below a certain age, so I've only watched these lads since they were 15 or so. I bet when they were young, they both wanted to be strikers, because Michael can score a nifty goal or two and, like Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, loves to maraud forward.

Michael Carrick gets poor press from some, I believe, because he is quiet, humble and unassuming in manner. He loves this club and would do anything the Boss asked of him. Will and Michael Keane are the same.

While the press have raved increasingly about Pogba and Morrison, I believe Will Keane is the best homegrown striker I have seen in many a year at Old Trafford.

I have previously likened him to Denis Bergkamp. He is intelligent, thoughtful—a team player with an excellent first touch and the same sort of innate radar that Andy Cole had. His strike rate and on-target ratios for the reserves and previously the academy are impressive, but he also works hard for the team.

Once he is in the box, however, he can head or score with either foot. Unlike a lot of modern strikers, he will also readily round the keeper as well as slide the ball under or past.

Having just watched him help defeat Oldham in the Manchester Senior Cup, the thought suddenly struck me that he resembles Fernando Torres also. I can't give him higher praise.

He also looked sharp when he came on against Blackburn, which was not a happy experience, but will serve him well as it was hardly his fault.

And here is the hat-trick that turned round the FA Youth Cup for United. Pogba and Morrison's skills are also on display.

This is his England record:

Played 26 Won 17 Drawn 6 Lost 3 Scored 5

Finally, here is the FA's own description of this fast-rising talent who will succeed either Michael Owen or Dimitar Berbatov as one of United's top four squad players:

"An elegant and creative midfield player who was one of a number of the title-winning U17 squad who made his bow at U19 level in September 2010 with a debut against Slovakia in Crewe.

The Manchester United man first featured for the Young Lions at U16 level when he featured in the squad which won the Montaigu Tournament of 2009 with a victory over Germany in the Final in France, and he then quickly progressed into the U17s the following season.

And what a season that turned out to be, as Keane played a major role in helping John Peacock's squad become European Champions."