Kalvin Phillips has sent clear transfer message to Manchester United amid likely Man City exit

Manchester United may have their sights set on Kalvin Phillips, according to reports, in January but for them to lure him to Old Trafford could prove an impossible task.

The Sun reported on Saturday evening that Phillips had been put at the top of United's winter shopping list, with Erik ten Hag keen to add more energy in midfield. The Dutchman is said to be a 'big fan' of the England star, who has been touted as a perfect fit for the deep-lying role.

Phillips looks set to leave City in January - whether that be on loan or permanently - after another campaign of limited minutes. Pep Guardiola admitted earlier this week that he 'couldn't see' the 28-year-old in his team, all but confirming his exit.

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United's interest in Phillips is not new and Ten Hag was thought to be eyeing the combative midfielder during his first transfer window last summer. A boyhood Leeds United fan and academy graduate, he had just helped secure the West Yorkshire side's Premier League status but had outgrown them in an incredible season for club and country.

But with a family of Leeds fans, Phillips will have known only too well the fury received by the likes of Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith at Elland Road. He is still loved by supporters up there and insisted there was no chance of burning that bridge.

“Going to United? No, there was never any chance of me going there," Phillips said last summer. "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