DAVID Jones has backed his fellow former Manchester United youngster Michael Keane to still make it at one of the Premier League’s top clubs, as long as he has the mentality to keep improving.

The two players had a very similar upbringing through the United youth system, before ultimately failing to make the grade at Old Trafford.

Jones believes Keane, who made his move to Turf Moor permanent earlier in the transfer window, is now at a ‘really great club’ for him to develop.

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Keane made just one Premier League start for the Red Devils, but he has started 10 times in the league for the Clarets, and Jones believes he has the talent to make it the top, as long as he has the mentality to back it up.

“There’s no reason to say he won’t progress and get back to one of the major teams in the Premier League,” said Jones.

“He’s still only very young for a defender and he needs a lot of games. He’s got ability, that’s for sure, it’s up to him whether or not he’s got the mentality and the consistency and the appetite to keep improving.

“This is still a great level for him to come out of Manchester United and come too. I think this is a really, really great club for him at the moment.”

Jones signed for United when he was a 10-year-old and had three loan spells away from Old Trafford, before making a permanent move to Derby County at the age of 22, having featured in three League Cup and one FA Cup match for United.

Keane, who joined the Red Devils at the age of 11, was on his fourth loan spell from his parent club with the Clarets, and he made a total of five appearances for United before leaving.

The Premier League and Football League is littered with former United youngsters who were allowed to leave Old Trafford, but Jones is grateful for the experience of having come through the ranks of one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

“Man Utd is such a tough club to make it into the first team with,” he said, “they’ve got the resources and the pull to be able to get anyone all over the world.

“Sometimes you’re not ready made at a young age to be able to do that so you have to leave.

“If you look through the leagues there is a lot of players from Man Utd who have gone on and made good careers.

“Personally I believe their coaching and the way the set-up is just brilliant and a great experience.

“That’s been invaluable for me. Keano seems to be of a similar kind of mentality.

“They have the same values, not just as people but on the pitch, there are certain values that I don’t feel are at other big clubs.

“He’s a really good young player and we’re lucky to have him. Hopefully he can keep improving.”