On entertainment value, both Leeds and Manchester United may have offered very little on Sunday, but that didn’t stop a quality midfield battle from taking place between Kalvin Phillips and Bruno Fernandes, as the former acknowledged on Sky Sports.
Leeds’ man-to-man marking system worked a treat yesterday as they walked away with a deserved point against a Manchester United team yet to be beaten on the road for over a year.
And Phillips was tasked with trying to nullify the threat of one of the Premier League’s best creators in Fernandes.
The boyhood Leeds fans told Sky Sports that he ‘really enjoyed’ his battle in the middle of the park with the long-range specialist.
Well, Phillips didn’t allow Fernandes to lay a glove on Leeds as their fans will love his honest assessment after yesterday’s game.
“I really enjoyed it having the battle with the midfielders and everyone on the park,” said Phillips.
On man-to-man marking: “We do it all game, to be fair. We have different markers every game. My task was Bruno, so I tried my best to keep him quiet and luckily he didn’t pop up with a goal so my job was alright.”
Phillips’ stock continues to rise and this isn’t the first time he has been outstanding in that number six role for Leeds.
Those at St George’s Park are taking notice, and whilst some of Phillips’ teammates search for that England call, he is surely guaranteed a spot at the Euros.
Him and Declan Rice have been outstanding in that defensive role this season, whilst a rising teenage star in Jude Bellingham is making noises from Germany that he deserves to be playing in that midfield role come the summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
