Manchester City completed their fourth earlier this month, acquiring the services of Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United for £42 million.
While City was always the midfielder’s first-choice, their neighbours Manchester United tried to hijack his signing from Leeds.
However, Phillips has now asserted that a move to Red part of the Manchester was never on his mind after deciding to leave Leeds.
United and Leeds share a traditional rivalry in English football, which originates from the strong rivalry between the historic counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Though ‘honoured’ still ‘NO’ to Man United- Kalvin Phillips
Phillips who is away with City for their preseason tour in the United States once again highlighted his loyalty towards Leeds on being asked about a possible move to United.
The England international said, “No, there was never any chance of me going there. 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.”
Kalvin Phillips was further asked whether it was tough to say “NO’ to a team like United, he said, “I don’t know, 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.”
Meanwhile, United who are in the market for midfield reinforcements have so far only signed Christian Eriksen in that department. The Red Devils are looking to bring in more options are stuck with Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong despite agreeing a deal.
Midfielder sheds light on reason for choosing Man City
City’s Fernandinho left this summer, and the club wasted no time in identifying Kalvin Phillips as his replacement. On the other hand, the 26-year-old too confessed that he was eager to play under Pep Guardiola which shaped his decision of joining City.
“It was the opportunity to be coached by Pep even if it’s just for a year or hopefully longer,” said the midfielder.
“I know he’s a great manager and he’ll elevate my game to a level I want to be at, and be involved in teams fighting for trophies.
“Also just be around players that make you a better player every single day. The opportunity I was given was one I couldn’t turn down.
“Even if Pep’s only here for one more year then it will hopefully be a good year.”
Phillips however, won’t be getting the regular game time he enjoyed at Leeds while there is a lengthy pecking order ahead of him at City.
The midfielder has shed light on his playing time at City as well with the World Cup not far away.
“I spoke to Gareth (Southgate) about lots of teams being interested in me, we didn’t speak about the World Cup because we had the Nations League.
“It’s a risk-reward thing. At Leeds I was always the guy that needed to play every game, with City that isn’t the case.
“There are some amazing players. I need to get my head around that and push myself to be in that bracket where I need to be playing and want to be playing.
“I want to come here and prove myself against the best players in the world. If I do that, great, and if I don’t then obviously there’s things that might not go to plan.
“I’m just looking forward to playing my first game for City and pushing on and hopefully playing at the World Cup.”
Kalvin Phillips will just have over 3 months to prove his mettle to England boss Gareth Southgate in the star-studded City team. Meanwhile, the midfielder is currently focussed on City’s ongoing preseason tour in America.