Man City new boy Kalvin Phillips says he would never have signed for Manchester United

There are some fairly certain ways to get a new fanbase onside, and Kalvin Phillips didn't waste his opportunity to endear himself to Manchester City supporters this week.

Signed from Leeds for £42m, Phillips was absent from the club's transfer unveiling at the Etihad recently, so was making up for lost time when he spoke to British media for the first time at City's team hotel in Houston. With plenty of interest in Phillips this summer — including from Manchester United — City won the race for the England international, who says he is keen to work hard to fight for his place, and hopefully earn a World Cup spot, too.

However, it was a comment about United's early transfer interest that may get him some early credit with City supporters, as he insisted he could never move to Old Trafford out of loyalty to Leeds.

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"Going to United? No, there was never any chance of me going there," he said.

"You know my loyalty to Leeds, my family as well, they're all Leeds fans. I was honoured by United wanting me, such a big team. One of the biggest teams in the world, but no I had to stay loyal to Leeds and choose to go to the other side of Manchester.

"It's just the way I am, the way I think and the way I'll always be. I want to be loyal to the people who've given me the biggest opportunity in the world. Leeds were the first team to sign me, I made sure that was one of the main things I'd do."

Phillips went on to discuss his changing role from being a regular starter at Leeds to one of many talented midfielders at City, as he accepted that he will have to fight and work hard on the training pitch to earn his place.

"At Leeds I was always