Erik ten Hag accused of "huge miss" as Man Utd boss decides against £45m transfer

Erik ten Hag has been blasted for failing to make a move for Kalvin Phillips, who is expected to complete a transfer to Manchester City.

Phillips has become a key player for Leeds United since graduating from their academy, earning him a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad. His performances at Elland Road and with the Three Lions have seen him branded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

And he is now set to link up with Pep Guardiola 's Premier League champions, further strengthening the Spaniard's squad. It is a move that stands in stark contrast to United's summer business, with Ten Hag still yet to make a signing.

That is despite 11 players having left Old Trafford at the end of last season, with upgrades in midfield particularly badly needed. Phillips would appear to be the perfect target for the Red Devils, but he is a player they have now missed out on.

And Ten Hag's failure to push to sign the 26-year-old has now been blasted by former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino. He believes that United will come to see Phillips as a "huge miss" in their transfer strategy.

“I don’t know why Man United have not made a move for Kalvin Phillips. They might say that they tried to and he’d already decided that he was going to City, but he’s exactly what Man United need," he told talkSPORT.

“He might not have wanted to go there, that might be the reason, but there seemingly wasn’t any competition from a club who sorely need that type of player. It’s a huge miss in their team, a ball-winning player who can keep it and let other players do their thing and he does that as well as anybody.

“We’ve seen Bissouma go to Tottenham for a relatively low fee at £20-25m. Okay, he had a year left on his contract so