In recent years there have been complaints about the quality of players at Manchester United.
United have witnessed a squad upgrade under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with a total of over £400 million spent in improving a side already laden with stars.
It seems the team is doing everything possible to ensure that Solskjaer is a success at United. It begs the question if it is loyalty to a club legend or justification for the ouster of a manager that won them their last trophy.
At every failure to land a trophy, there were excuses for the poor coaching skills of the Norwegian manager. The latest is that the team needs a defensive midfielder and like the over pampering parents, United are out shopping for a new one.
Interest in Declan Rice seems to have waned, and United have turned their focus on Leeds England international Kalvin Phillips.
The search for a defensive midfielder
The transfer window closed with United making several businesses in the market. Defensive lynchpin and World Cup winner Raphael Varane arrived at Old Trafford to bolster the defence while Jadon Sancho walked in the door for a fee in the region of £75 million. Perhaps the most interesting arrival was that of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The results haven't been far from last season, where it has been uninspiring. Like a petulant child, the latest excuse is the need for a defensive midfielder.
For a long time, United were on the trail of West Ham midfielder Declan Rice. It seems that the Red Devils have run out of patience and are turning their attention elsewhere.
With Liverpool in pole position to land Borussia Dortmund player Jude Bellingham, Kalvin Phillips has caught the fancy of Manchester United.
According to the Daily Star, United have turned their focus on the Leeds United player after the irritation of the Hammers £90 million valuation of Declan Rice.
They also faced competition for Declan Rice, with the player's former club Chelsea showing interest.
The battle to convince Phillips
Kalvin Phillips shone brightly at the Euros as England went all the way to the final. It was a matter of time before top clubs came calling. United seems to have jumped ahead of other clubs in the quest to prise the player from the club.
United still need to convince the midfielder that Old Trafford is the place for him. Phillips is a born Leeds fan, and his current deal runs till 2024, and United have their work cut out. The player is a much cheaper option than Declan Rice, who he played with at the Euros. It will take around £60 million to land the midfielder.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
