[funkdoctorspock]

I just thought this was interesting to point out.

He has signed 7 former United players. I understand he has played with some and has see some play, but 7? This doesn't include the loan for Evans.

Sunderland doesn't have a scouting network to dig up talent anywhere?

At the rate that Keano is going I wouldn't be surprised if Sunderland change from FC to United.

ROY Keane is turning Sunderland into Old Trafford-on-Wear after making Phil Bardsley the NINTH United player he has signed for the club.

The Reds defender has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract at the Stadium of Light in a deal worth up to £2m.

The 22-year-old Salfordian right back joins a host of former colleagues at the Black Cats.

Since Keane became boss at Sunderland in August 2006 he has lured Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Liam Miller, Kieran Richardson, Danny Higginbotham and Paul McShane to Wearside.

In this January window he had captured Jonny Evans on loan from Old Trafford before nailing down Bardsley. He has also got Raimond Van der Gouw on the Sunderland payroll as goalkeeper coach.

Salford-born defender Bardlsey ends around four years of wanderlust having had five loan spells since 2004.

He was loaned to Reds alliance club Royal Antwerp in Belgium when a United reserve and has since been at Burnley, Rangers and Aston Villa before joining Bryan Robson at Sheffield United this season.

But Keane has jumped in front of his ex-United team-mate Robson to land the player.

"We needed to strengthen our defence and Phil is a good addition to the squad," says Keane.

Bardsley was delighted to move north, saying: "Sunderland have a fantastic manager who has given me the chance to come here and play. I'm delighted. It's a massive club and a good opportunity."

Bardsley's way into Sir Alex Ferguson's senior plans have been blocked by Gary Neville. His best period in the first team came in 2005 when he started in six matches and was a sub twice in an eight-match period.
Click

[randy420]

It's a good move really. Keano's played with, or trained with all of them, so he's got first hand experience at the potential of the players. I wish them all the best as well.

[dada]

Its difficult attracting talent to Sunderland so its understandable that he takes advantage of whatever links he may have with a player.

[ZEUS]

We have many good players that don't have a place (because of the competition) in the first team. So instead of playing for the reserves they would rather play for another team.
Roy Keane knows SAF and trusts his ability in selecting good, talented player and bringing them to United. And if those player don't find a place at United he just goes for it and buys those players.
Plus, the fact that Roy Keane is a former United player, gives his team an "United spirit", and players that left United for Sunderland like being coached by a former United player.

[Rockynaldo]

According to this Sunday Times article, when keano arrived at Sunderland, they did not have a chief scout, or a single scout abroad.

Quinton Fortune has also been linked to Sunderland, and played in a reserve friendly for them.

[dpak3000]

Maybe the players know what to expect from Roy Keane as a manager having played under Sir Alex so they find a comfort level. And let's not forget that it doesn't hurt to use ex-United players. United have the top scouts in the world so there's obviously talent there.