Keane wins Reserves gong

Michael Keane has been named the Reserve Player of the Year for 2012 after an impressive season at the heart of United’s title-winning defence.

The 19-year old defender, brother of Reserves striker Will, was a clear winner with 60% of the votes, beating Jesse Lingard (24%) and Larnell Cole (16%) into second and third respectively.

Fearless in defence and comfortable on the ball, Keane has established himself at centre-back for Warren Joyce’s side this season, having arrived at the club as a full-back.

His promising start to the campaign was rewarded with a first-team debut as a substitute in United’s Carling Cup win at Aldershot in October.

Keane made 27 appearances in all competitions for the second string in 2011/12, scoring five goals, as Joyce’s men powered to Reserve League North and then national play-off final glory.

Michael 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.”

Looking back on his senior debut this season, away to Aldershot, the award-winner said: “It was incredible. Just to travel with the first team is special. But to get on the pitch is unbelievable. It’s something I and my family had dreamed of.

“Now I hope to go on the pre-season tour with the first team and if that goes well, then I might go on loan or stay here. It will be up to Sir Alex of course.”

Fellow reserve-award nominee Larnell Cole graciously said Michael “deserved to win the award” while another runner-up Jesse Lingard added: “He’s had a good, strong campaign at the back and he’s been picked for England. His confidence has gone sky high.”

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Sky Sports sources understand Manchester United teenager Ravel Morrison is closing in on a move to Championship leaders West Ham United.

Morrison is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and it appears the Premier League champions have accepted an offer from the Hammers.

The Red Devils rejected a bid from Newcastle United earlier in the transfer window after Sir Alex Ferguson stated that Morrison had rejected a new deal.

The 18-year-old subsequently took to Twitter to insist he had not turned down an extension, but the midfielder now looks to be on his way out of United.

He is regarded as the most gifted youngster to have come through the United ranks for many years, but has also encountered problems off the pitch.

The likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Barcelona, Roma and Paris St Germain have all been linked with moves for Morrison, but West Ham appears his destination.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is preparing for a busy deadline day after lining up deals for Barnsley striker Ricardo Vaz Te and Genoa forward Ze Eduardo.

Sir Alex says he is assessing the best way to get some of his fringe players more game-time in the coming months following United’s exit from the Carling Cup.

The competition has provided the manager with the perfect opportunity to give a number of the younger players some much needed minutes on the pitch, but the Reds’ quarter-final defeat on Wednesday night has left Sir Alex pondering what to do next, with the boss revealing that he is considering sending some players out on loan.

“The problem we have is to do with the Reserve league there is now - it’s really a youth league,” explained Sir Alex at Friday’s press conference.

“That is a big problem. We’ll be reviewing the whole situation in terms of how we get more games for the players.

“Loan deals work well for all the young players in terms of getting game-time and that’s what we’re looking at with Macheda and Diouf. They need games.

“They’re young and every young player wants to play and we have to give them that opportunity.”

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