United's back-up signings have been reduced by one more, with Leeds United's England international Calvin Phillips already rejecting the Red Devils. Leeds United and Manchester United are historic rivals, and although there have been star transfers between the two teams such as Cantona, Leo Ferdinand and Alain Smith, Phillips has said he is loyal and will not betray the Eland Road fans.
The 26-year-old Phillips, who made his name in last year's European Championships, is not short of a home and therefore does not care to reject Manchester United. Although the Red Devils claim to be still the number one giant in England, they have fallen for nearly 10 years, and Phillips feels that even if he wants to transfer, he will have a better home.
Historically, there have been many Leeds United players who have defected to Manchester United, Arthur Graham, Joe Jordan and Gorton McQueen. But neither of them was forgiven by the fans, especially Smith, who claimed to be a die-hard Leeds United loyalist and would not join Manchester United, only to put on the Red Devils shirt in 2004.
Phillips joined Leeds United at the age of 14 and has no intention of repeating Smith's mistakes. The British media claimed that Phillips changed his agent for a transfer to Manchester United, but the player said that it was only to better renew his contract. The England international currently has a two-year contract with Leeds United and he hopes to renew his new contract with a weekly salary of more than £100,000.
Previously, Phillips' agent was former Leeds United full-back Kevin Sharp, but many of the "super agents" have waved an olive branch at him this season, hoping that England will join his name. Phillips has been sidelined for the past few months with a hamstring injury, and Monday's 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace was his first appearance since December 5.
Leeds United's first choice was also to keep Phillips, however, they didn't mind selling him if they couldn't renew him in the end. However, the list price of the white rose is not low, and it is possible to sign him until it reaches the offer of 60 million pounds. In January, West Ham offered £55m, but was still rejected. Newcastle United and Aston Villa, two of the Premier League's hidden billionaires, are watching his contract extension progress.
United need to buy a new back this summer, but have been blocked many times. West Ham have refused to release Dekran Rice and priced him £150 million; Monaco's France international Joan Ameni has no intention of joining United, and his ideal place to go is Real Madrid. Coupled with the rejection of Phillips, Manchester United completed the "hat trick" of the failed introduction of the back.
Therefore, the Fans can only continue to wait for the introduction of who will succeed Nemanja Matic in the Summer Transfer Window, but the final candidate, I am afraid, will not be the most well-known star back, the only thing that Red Devils fans can comfort themselves is that Lonnick and Tenhag are good at discovering "hidden gems".
However, next season manager Tenhag has no time to worry about Manchester United's transfer issues, espnant reports that Ajax boss ordered the Red Devils not to disturb themselves 48 hours before the team's game. With Ajax currently four points ahead of Eindhoven and the last four rounds of the Eredivisie, Tenhag hopes to complete a triple crown and avoid any surprises after the Champions League exit and the Dutch Cup final are reversed.
Meanwhile, The United players are said to have contacted former team-mate Daly Blind to ask questions about Tenhag, while Blind told them that Tenhag was disciplined and had his own tactical preferences, requiring players to put the interests of the team first.