Manchester United working on transfer deal to sign Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips

Manchester United are making progress with a deal to sign Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips.

The Premier League giants are close to appointing Erik ten Hag as the club’s new manager, but a new midfielder has long been earmarked as a priority, regardless of who succeeds Ralf Rangnick.

With Paul Pogba destined to leave on a free transfer in the summer, Ten Hag will have only limited options at his disposal when he arrives at the end of the season.

Fred, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay have all flattered to deceive this season while James Garner, who is due to return from a productive loan spell at Nottingham Forest, has limited Premier League experience.

Phillips enjoyed an outstanding European Championships with England last summer and is likely to be included in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old is contracted to Leeds until 2024 and, according to the MEN, talks over a new deal have stalled.

Phillips has endured a frustrating season with injury, but made his comeback in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Southampton having missed nearly four months with a hamstring injury.

United harbour long-term interest in Declan Rice but West Ham value Phillips’ England teammate at around £150million and are reluctant to sell.

‘I think he’s been England’s best performer from the Euros. The most consistent performer,” the West Ham boss David Moyes said last week.

‘Some of the players are now playing very well, Harry Kane for example, but if you looked at it from the start of the season to where we are now, I’d put Declan in that very high consistent bracket.

Asked if it is just rumours when it comes to Rice leaving West Ham and whether he’s heard anything, Moyes added: ‘If I had heard something, I wouldn’t tell you.

‘But