'He knows the club' - why Manchester United have turned to Tom Keane in the transfer window

April 2017 and kick-off between Manchester United and Chelsea is imminent. In the directors' box, William and Michael Keane shuffle along the aisle adjacent to the press box and take their seats.

The Heaton Moor-born twins, FA Youth Cup winners with the United academy in 2011 and both played by Sir Alex Ferguson, have long since left but are stood and applauding their boyhood club. Will started and scored in Jose Mourinho's first friendly at Wigan but is at Hull permanently and Michael is back in the Premier League with Burnley.

The twins are accompanied by their brother, Tom, a qualified lawyer. Michael's attendance turns heads as United have shortlisted him among the centre halves under consideration ahead of the summer transfer window.

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United eventually revive a deal for Victor Lindelof and Michael moves to Everton for £25million. The next time he is at Old Trafford, Everton are whipped 4-0.

Michael is still at Everton and has attained 12 England caps while Will, prolific in Wigan's title-winning League One campaign, is now a Republic of Ireland international.

A Keane is returning to United, albeit the non-playing one. United have appointed Tom, an associate of the Brandsmiths firm, in a temporary consultancy role to offset the departure of the former director of football negotiations Matt Judge.

Keane is listed among the team members of the New Era agency that represents the Keane twins and Rio Ferdinand is closely involved with. Their website says Tom's "combination of professionalism and football market knowledge is invaluable to clients".

Despite installing a football director and technical director last year, United