'90% convinced': Leeds' Phillips faces 'big decision' on Man United move

Manchester United are likely to be rejected by target Kalvin Phillips as he will not want to cross the divide with arch-rivals Leeds United, transfer insider Dean Jones.

Although Ralf Rangnick is only in interim charge until the end of the season, when he will take up a consultancy role behind the scenes, the Red Devils are already looking at potential arrivals for when the window reopens in the summer.

Jesse Marsch was appointed as Leeds’ new head coach on Monday, less than 24 hours after Marcelo Bielsa was sacked, and it has led to question marks over Phillips’ future.

Speaking on the Kelly & Wrighty Show, via MOT Leeds News, Sky Sports pundit Karen Carney claimed Phillips will have been ‘gutted’ by Bielsa’s axing.

Marsch has challenged Phillips to take a ‘bigger role within the team’, but it comes a matter of months after the 26-year-old was the subject of a £50million bid from West Ham United.

The Daily Star have previously reported that Manchester United are also interested in securing Phillips’ services in the summer.

The report suggests they will face competition from arch-rivals Liverpool, but the Red Devils have made a £60million deal for the central midfielder a priority.

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Jones believes Phillips will not follow in the footsteps of the likes of Eric Cantona and Alan Smith by joining Manchester United from Leeds.

The transfer insider feels the England man’s ties to his current employers mean he would be unable to join their arch-rivals.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “I, personally, just don’t think he would do it. Obviously, a couple of players like Cantona and Alan Smith have and it worked out well for Cantona. Maybe not so much for Smith.

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