Gary Neville and Roy Keane disagree over what Kalvin Phillips would offer Manchester United

Kalvin Phillips has emerged as a potential alternative to England teammate Declan Rice as Manchester United work on a deal to sign the Leeds United midfielder. A standout performer alongside Rice at Euro 2020 last summer, it has been a difficult season for Phillips as he works his way back from a troublesome hamstring problem.

In his absence, Leeds flirted with Premier League relegation. Despite two heavy defeats to their bitter rivals United, though, it appears as though the Whites are safe. But could they lose Phillips to the Old Trafford giants?

That would-be move evokes memories of a (controversial) pathway set out by Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith before Phillips. Meanwhile, high-profile pundits such as Gary Neville and Roy Keane have already told their old employers what impact the midfielder can have should he swap Elland Road for United this summer.

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Neville has long-since championed Phillips and comments made either side of his Euro 2020 heroics offer proof he would give a thumbs up to his former club should they sign the Leeds talisman. Speaking before England's journey to the final, Neville said: "Kalvin Phillips is better at passing the ball through the lines at Leeds.

"[Jordan] Henderson and [Declan] Rice are good on the ball, but Phillips is the best out of those three on the ball in terms of accepting the ball and getting it off the back four. It has become a really important area for England so, for me, I would go for Phillips alongside Rice."

Underlining his stance at the start of this season, Neville added: "He came into the Premier League 12 months ago, but he's now the best English midfielder there is, by