Erik ten Hag has now made Manchester City No.4 Kalvin Phillips his No.1 January target at Manchester United.
That is according to The Sun.
So, what is the situation involving Manchester United and Kalvin Phillips? Let’s take a look…
Manchester United want Kalvin Phillips
Well, this would be a shock move – to say the least.
Phillips looks set to leave the Etihad Stadium this winter after being continuously overlooked by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
The 28-year-old has made just two starts in the Premier League since his £45m move from Leeds United back in July 2022.
Guardiola revealed on Friday that Phillips struggles to carry out his tactical ideas, and now, a surprise move across Manchester to Old Trafford could materialise.
The Sun believe Ten Hag views the England international as the perfect solution for the issues in his midfield department, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe also wants to see investment in homegrown talent.
Sources told The Sun that Phillips is expected to leave Manchester City on loan in January ahead of a permanent exit in the summer, and the Dutchman wants to be right at the front of the queue.
It is even said that Guardiola would not stand in the Yorkshire-born playmaker’s way if he decided to join the Red Devils.
The Spaniard is believed to want the situation resolved as soon as possible after finally deciding that Phillips is not going to make it at Manchester City.
Kalvin Phillips has already rejected Manchester United
Interestingly, Phillips has already rejected Manchester United due to his love for Leeds United – so a January deal seems highly unlikely.
As quoted by the Mirror in 2022, he said: “Going to United? No, there was never any chance of me going there. You know my loyalty to Leeds. My family as well – they’re all Leeds fans.
“I was honoured that United wanted me, such a big team and one of the biggest teams in the world, but no. I had to stay loyal to Leeds and choose to go to the other side of Manchester.”
Despite a lack of action under Guardiola, we doubt his stance has changed, so it would be a major shock if Phillips ended up at Old Trafford.
