REPORT: Erik ten Hag Asks Manchester United to make Shock Move for 27-Year-Old Manchester City Star

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly demanded his team’s top brass to snap up Manchester City star Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips, 27, has failed to put up a fight for a starting spot at City since arriving from Leeds United in a deal worth up to £45 million last summer. He racked up just 593 minutes of action, spread across 21 appearances, during his team’s treble-winning season last time around.

As a result, the 26-cap England international has been rumored to exit Manchester City ahead of the next term. He has emerged on West Ham United and Newcastle United’s radar of late, as per The Daily Star.

According to Fichajes, Manchester United have also decided to enter the summer transfer race for Phillips on Ten Hag’s request. The former Ajax tactician is said to be confident about bringing out the best version of the deep-lying playmaker in his system next campaign.

The Red Devils’ hierarchy are willing to dish out £34 million to sign Phillips, whose contract at the Etihad is set to expire in June 2028.

Should the 2020 UEFA Euro finalist join the Old Trafford side, he would emerge as a rotational option for Casemiro. Apart from deputizing in a holding role, he could also play as a box-to-box midfielder.

Manchester United are also keeping tabs on a number of other midfielders, with a move for Chelsea’s Mason Mount currently in limbo. They have enquired about the availability of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Utrecht’s Taylor Booth, as per ESPN.