SIR Alex Ferguson could make a surprise swoop for Charlton Athletic's Dean Kiely this summer.
Since the unexpected double-departure of Roy Carroll and Ricardo last week, the United boss has been linked with a raft of top-quality keepers, including Tottenham's Paul Robinson, Shay Given of Newcastle and Chelsea's Carlo Cudicini.
Yet he could well switch his sights to Charlton's 34-year-old Salford-born player.
Despite playing for one of London's less fashionable clubs, Kiely has long been recognised as one of the best shot-stoppers and consistent goalkeepers in the top flight.
What will also appeal to Ferguson is that Kiely, as a United player, would not divide his time and his energy between club and country as he retired from the Republic of Ireland team last year to prolong his career at club level.
Virtually an ever-present in Alan Curbishley's team since joining from Bury, Kiely lost his senior place in the Charlton team for the final games of the season, against Chelsea and United, to the Danish international Stefan Anderson.
Curbishley explained his selection decision at the time by saying that he needed to see how his second-string keeper fared against two of the top teams in the Premiership but that failed to stop the speculation that the Charlton boss was ready to allow Kiely to leave the Valley.
Although born no more than a good goal-kick away from Old Trafford, Kiely slipped through the net of Manchester's big two clubs and began his career at York City, where he was spotted by the former Bury manager Stan Ternent.
"The fee was set at '70,000 by a Tribunal when I signed Dean from York, and we weren't best pleased with that valuation," recalled Ternent.
"But from his very first appearance at Bury, I knew we were on to a winner. I have never known such a determined and single-minded footballer. He kept himself fantastically fit and no-one dared go near him if he let in a goal because he took that as a personal insult. That just shows what a perfectionist he is."
Is Kiely the man to solve United's goalkeeping problems? Have your say.
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
no he is not the answer
As a Charlton season ticket holder I hope we don't let Deano go but if ever a professional deserved the chance to win trophies it is this man. A true legend, amazing shot stopper and fully focussed. Can he do a job at Man Utd, yes, no questions but it will be Charltons loss
HA HA very funny
This is so like Fergie that it must be true. thank eric it's not Goram and wally smith. I don't think that any goalie is worth 10 mill quid so the options are a young talent like Howard or a Fergie Laurent Blanc type option. SAF loves experience and i suppose he wants solid back up for Tim. I'd much rather have this guy on the cheap then Robinson at 10 mill, who would be daft enough to pay that for him!?
Fergie should like a fool for letting Forlan go & not giving him a dcent chance at united.
Think about how mucc faith he had in Cole when he was barren for months.
Folan - Golden boot winner Spain
United - 7million pound loss selling Forlan
Resolution - Fegie should get the sack for some really bad decisions over the years.
He's a great "little" goalie;same as Given.A big keeper would be better.Maik Taylor could be a dark horse.He keeps Carroll out.Van der Sar for nowt,would be ok.Giggs perhaps!
Come United lets get real a man that cant hold a first team place at Charlton is just not good enough for Man U. What the hell has Tony Coton been doing travelling the world looking for a keeper I wish I had his job! all he has to do is look around the lower divisons for a good young keeper they are ALL in the UK the kid at Exeter the Ipswich keeper Davis come on Tony do me United a favour and recommend yound Davis from Ipswich!
Jim Leighton's still available!
Not the answer at all - neither on the pitch or off it (in the merchandise dept).
What rumour next - Fergy swaps Rio for Alan Hansen....hey dont knock it - afterall Hanson's got experience!!
Sir ALex should swoop for his pension book and free bus pass!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
would be first rate as a back up keeper and work with tim Howard. always plays well against mufc. probably a bit on the over 30s stage for first choice.
Not sure if it is the answer but if they still have faith in Howard then Remember what a great Job Les Sealey did - perhaps one year to get Howard more experienced.
I suppose we had better get used to this, soon the first team will be visiting Oxfam shops to get their strips!
Kiely is blue through and through, there's more chance of Nelson getting his eye back than him playing for Yankchester Yanited!
Joke of the day!!
Just a short message to Hahaha, Manchester. The reality is there are a number of fans of the opposition who when given the opportunity of joing the mighty reds switch allegiances quicker than it took you to post your message. Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney ring a bell mate. If he was such a blue why didnt he join King Kev , maybe because he thought Charlton are a better option. Keep smilin Bertie
Kiely's a decent keeper and would certainly be a big improvement on Carroll. It's a bit odd that Niemi isn't linked with us more often in the press. He's our most obvious target now Southampton have gone down and is easily the second-best keeper in the Premiership. Do you think maybe, just maybe, we're about to tie up a transfer without having every detail raked over in the press for months in adavance? A guy can dream...
Kiely would be fine as back up to a top no1, but we need someone better than the boy tim as our no1, get down to southamton fergie and have word with your old pal 'arry, niemi would do just fine. mostly though i would like to see the back of rio.
SAF made a good move getting rid of 2 'keepers. Watch the price of 'keepers escalate now that everyone knows he HAS to buy a replacement. Clever, or what?
Just to put the record straight for Hahahaha and the other fan who was wondering whether Kiely's a red or blue...he's neither.
He's a Villa fan - always has been.
I think Deano would be an excellent option for United - as a back-up to a new number one. He's still a very good keeper, but isn't in the top class bracket. He's a little bit short (5'11), and doesn't deal with crosses very well.
Who??
It's no good talking about top goalkeepers when all United can actually "afford" is bargain basement. Kiely will probably come cheap ( a pre requisite). He is 35 and will be 36 in October. Sounds like one for the future. I thought it was Chelsea who were called the Pensioners.
what i find strange is that a big club like united cannot produce a top quality goalkeeper of there own city has.It seems to me that united will not be able to improve much if they donot buy from outside of the uk use your youngsters like city are doing.
Kiely is the Charlton 1st team keeper, he has performed well for us over the last few seasons, however he is not your 1st team answer, his kicking rarely lands between the white lines and he cannot command his area. He is probably the best shot stopper in the division and thats his key attribute. Good back up but not your answer. KV
You can have him.
DEAN KIELY.....u must be avin a laugh. he definitly is better off at charlton, the keepers that man u do get linked with is quite unbelievable i think whoever does do the transfer talking at man u, i suggest they need to get their head sorted! y no go for casillas, kameni or cudicini and buffon but he won't ever come as he has already said if he does leave he will only go to real madrid.