Manchester United told they could regret not signing Kalvin Phillips ahead of Man City move

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has warned Manchester United they could live to regret not signing Leeds United midfield enforcer Kalvin Phillips this summer.

The Leeds-born midfielder, who will have aspirations of representing England at the World Cup later this year, is on the cusp of joining Manchester City. The reining Premier League champions agreed a £45million fee with Leeds on Friday, with £42million of that deal being paid up front.

City chief Pep Guardiola quickly identified Phillips as being his top target to strengthen City's defensive-midfield options this summer following the departure of Fernandinho. He has gone from strength-to-strength since helping Leeds win promotion to the Premier League two years ago.

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United, as revealed by the Manchester Evening News back in April, were understood to be working on a deal to try and bring Phillips to Old Trafford. However, they stood next to no chance once City entered the race for his signature.

And for former Republic of Ireland international Cascarino, United's failure to sign Phillips will have left them kicking themselves. The club is crying out for a defensive-minded midfielder this summer and appear no closer to sourcing one.

"I don't know why Man United have not made a move for Kalvin Phillips," Cascarino told talkSPORT. "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 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