The idea of Kalvin Phillips going to Manchester United is enough to give any Leeds United fan goosebumps, but unfortunately, according to reports this week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are interested in Leeds’ star man.
Phillips is arguably Leeds’ biggest modern-day legend having come through the academy and played a major role in getting the club back to the Premier League, but as with any talented player at a club outside of the top six, the big clubs eventually come calling.
For Leeds, there probably isn’t a worse club for Phillips to join than Manchester United. After all, the Red Devils are the Whites’ biggest rivals and there’s a genuine disdain between the fanbases.
To make matters worse, we’ve been here before. When Leeds were relegated back in 2004, Manchester United poached Alan Smith, a homegrown, local lad who seemingly loved the club.
However, in our view, Phillips making the switch across the Pennines would be so much more forgivable than Smith.
Now, we’re not going to argue that Phillips joining Manchester United wouldn’t be controversial. It would certainly leave a sour taste in the mouths of Leeds fans across the country, but if ever there was a player that could make this move without his legacy being completely destroyed, it’s the Yorkshire Pirlo.
For a start, Phillips has already shown tremendous loyalty to Leeds. The midfielder could have jumped ship back in 2019 when Aston Villa were in for him, but he decided to stay and help his boyhood club to the Premier League.
Who knows what would have happened if Phillips had left for Villa in 2019, would Leeds have ever returned to the top-flight?
Phillips’ primary task when he came through at Leeds was to get them promoted, and that’s a mission he has accomplished.
Meanwhile, Smith left under a dark cloud. He was one of the first out of the door after Leeds’ relegation in 2004 and he was joining a club that he’d once vowed he’d never play for.
Phillips has never made such a promise, and while it would be romantic if he opted to stay at Elland Road for his entire career, the reality is that nobody should blame him for aiming to play in the Champions League.
While Smith left Leeds at their lowest ebb, if Phillips were to depart, he’d be leaving the club in a much better state than they were in when he made his debut.
Regardless of whether or not the Whites stay up this season, the Yorkshire outfit are in a stronger position now than they’ve been in for the past two decades. They’ve got two years of Premier League money behind them and if Phillips were to go he’d net the club a hefty windfall, and while Smith didn’t leave for a small amount, £7m in 2004 was a lot of money, it was a fair bit less than what Leeds valued him at – reportedly £10m.
The two players’ situations are chalk and cheese. Smith went from crying upon Leeds’ relegation to gleefully smiling after joining their biggest rivals, while Phillips potential departure would see him leaving the club with lots of great memories, in a strong position and for massive money.
Seeing a homegrown player leave is never nice, but if they bring in a big fee after contributing to a meteoric rise back to the Premier League, can you really hold it against them? Phillips has given all he can to Leeds and he has every right to want to spread his wings at the very top level.
Would Phillips joining Manchester United be ideal? Of course it wouldn’t, if Phillips is to go we’re sure the Elland Road faithful would rather see him end up anywhere else.
However, while Leeds fans may have booed Smith in 2009 when Newcastle played the Whites, it has to be said that Phillips wouldn’t deserve the same treatment if he joined the Red Devils.
Would Phillips heading to Old Trafford hurt? Undoubtedly. Would it be acceptable? After so many years of good service and loyalty, it should be.
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