---
title: "Manchester United: Potential blow in pursuit of Kalvin Phillips"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/kalvin-phillips-leeds-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2021-11-27T12:20:08Z"
modified: "2021-11-27T12:48:14Z"
---

# Manchester United: Potential blow in pursuit of Kalvin Phillips

**Manchester United may miss out on the chance of signing Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips, according to a fresh report that has emerged.**

### The Lowdown: Phillips excels for Leeds

The midfielder has been a huge player for the Whites during the Marcelo Bielsa era – he has made [223 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kalvin-phillips/alletore/spieler/351749) for the club in total – also becoming a key member of the England team.

Phillips is [England’s reigning Player of the Year](https://www.englandfootball.com/articles/2021/Sep/01/20210109-kalvin-phillips-named-england-mens-player-of-the-year-2021), and while he appears content at Leeds currently, his head could be turned next summer.

United have been [linked](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/transfers/2021-2022/manchester-united-and-liverpool-battle-for-60m-leeds-united-midfielder-kalvin-phillips-paper-round_sto8605237/story.shtml) with a move for the 25-year-old in the past but a new report suggests that may not materialise.

\[freshpress-poll id=“378953″\]

### The Latest: United suffer possible blow

According to [*The Daily Star*](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-kalvin-phillips-man-utd-25556858), Phillips will snub a move to Old Trafford because of Leeds’ longstanding [rivalry](https://talksport.com/football/448749/busby-revie-alan-smith-rivalry-leeds-man-utd-premier-league/) with United, perhaps fearing a backlash from supporters.

[How will Ralf Rangnick Revolutionise & Save Manchester United? Ralf Rangnick Tacitics (embedded)](https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/VSqwYjR8Xbo?feature=oembed)

Liverpool are mentioned as an alternative suitor, which wouldn’t necessarily go down with Red Devils fans.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”289725″\]

### The Verdict: Midfield addition needed

With Ralf Rangnick now in charge of United, the hope is that they will show huge improvements, with the squad filled with quality all over the pitch.

One area that is [lacking](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/startseite/verein/399) is defensive midfield, however, so Phillips could be an ideal signing if the current situation was to change.

The Leeds hero has averaged [2.6 tackles](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/270446/Show/Kalvin-Phillips) per game in the Premier League, which is more than any United midfielder, with Fred top of the list with [2.2](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United).

***In other news, some United fans slammed one player’s display against Villarreal. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-news/alex-telles-villarreal-champions-league-premier-league/).***