Man Utd end Declan Rice transfer pursuit to focus on Leeds star Kalvin Phillips

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Manchester United want to sign Kalvin Phillips from bitter rivals Leeds.

United have targeted the England sensation after abandoning their interest in West Ham ace Declan Rice.

United boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer has made signing a defensive midfielder his No.1 priority in next summer's transfer window.

Rice has been on United's radar for the past 12 months, but executive vice chairman Ed Woodward is concerned about the Hammers' £90m valuation.

Old Trafford bosses believe Rice, 22, is not worth what the Hammers want and are now prepared to look elsewhere when it comes to filling the position.

And with Liverpool leading the race to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund, Phillips is the preferred alternative.

News that United want to sign Phillips will stun Leeds fans, who despise the Old Trafford club and still regard them as their biggest enemies.

United have a history of plundering Leeds for their top stars, having lured the likes of Eric Cantona, Alan Smith and Rio Ferdinand across the Pennines in the past.

Phillips was born in Leeds and has established himself as an iconic figure at the club after helping them win promotion back to the Premier League in 2020.

The 25-year-old has gone on to become an integral part of the England side and helped Gareth Southgate's men reach the Euro 202 final this summer.

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Phillips is under contract at Leeds until 2024 and is valued in the region of £60m.

Phillips would be reluctant to leave his hometown club, but fears Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa could quit Elland Road at the end of this season and knows that United are expected to be challenging for top honours in the coming years.

Meanwhile, United ace Marcus Rashford is hoping to return to training next week after seeing a specialist about his troublesome shoulder.

Rashford went under the knife following the Euros and has been sidelined since July, but is hoping to rejoin his team-mates next week.

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