Manchester United is said to be pursuing a player from Manchester City in a highly contentious transfer.

As the January transfer window approaches rapidly, Manchester United is aiming to enhance the quality of their squad to make a climb up the Premier League standings. The season has been disappointing for Erik ten Hag, with the team currently sitting in sixth place after a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

In anticipation of the transfer window, reports suggest that United is considering a move for Kalvin Phillips, a struggling midfielder from local rivals Manchester City. The Sun has indicated that Phillips is United’s primary target for the upcoming summer transfer window. A source revealed, “United is closely monitoring Phillips’ situation. Although he might go on loan in January, the plan is for a permanent switch in the summer, with Ten Hag eager to secure his services.”

The source continued, “Ten Hag admires Phillips’ style of play, believing it aligns perfectly with United’s philosophy. Moreover, the club’s new investors are keen on investing in and nurturing English talent, and Phillips remains one of the standout English players in the Premier League. While player transfers between City and United aren’t unprecedented, such a move always stirs controversy.”

This week, City manager Pep Guardiola openly acknowledged that Phillips doesn’t fit into his current plans. Guardiola expressed regret, stating, “I feel sorry for my decision regarding him. He doesn’t deserve what has happened, and I’m genuinely sorry for that.” The manager went on to explain that he seeks good personalities and characters in his players, and Phillips exemplifies these traits. However, Guardiola admitted to struggling to envision Phillips within the team structure.

Guardiola added, “I’m not pleased with myself, and I apologize to him. I have to be professional in this business. If he stays beyond January, I would be pleased because he trains well, and he’s a positive character. I’ve mentioned before that I care about how players behave with their teammates and everyone, and that’s a crucial factor for me. Hopefully, the situation can turn around for him.”