Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has praised Preston North End striker Will Keane having previously worked together at Manchester United.
PNE are in Championship action once again tonight, welcoming Middlesbrough to Deepdale.
North End have turned a corner of late and have picked up two impressive victories against Ipswich Town and Cardiff City.
Key to North End’s recent form is striker Will Keane, who has hit five goals in in his last five appearances.
The 31-year-old has now bagged 11 goals in 23 Championship games this season and has been an absolute bargain signing from Wigan Athletic.
Michael Carrick praises PNE striker Will Keane
Keane’s rise at PNE is pretty remarkable given that he was a disappointing loan signing from Manchester United back in 2015.
Now a more experienced and mature player, Keane is arguably the best striker at the club and his all-round game has been vital of late.
One man who knows Keane well is Boro boss Michael Carrick having been at Manchester United together.
The pair played in two Premier League games together, losing to Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.
Speaking to Boro’s official website, Carrick noted that he knows Keane from United and feels the PNE striker is a ‘good player’ who is really benefitting from a run of games.
Carrick also believes that PNE look like a more settled team right now and believes Boro are in for a ‘good test’ tonight.
“I know Will from United, coming through,” said Carrick. “He’s a good player, he’s had a good run of games now. They’ve had some players that are back in around it, back fit, a bit more of a settled team as well and I think you can see that by the results and the performances they’ve got, so they’re looking as strong as they’ve looked probably all season, so it will be a good test for us going there,” he added.
Keane is likely to start up front for PNE alongside Emil Riis tonight and it’s clear that Carrick knows all about his ability.
After braces in his last two home games, Keane would no doubt love to keep that run going tonight and take down his former United teammate Carrick.