David Prutton has weighed in on the speculation linking Leeds United duo Ben White and Kalvin Phillips to Manchester United, stating it is real testament to the latter’s improvement that he is being linked with a move to Old Trafford.  

Leeds currently sit third in the Championship table and headed into November’s international break on the back of a five-game unbeaten run, with White and Phillips at the heart of Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Both have featured in every game this season, with Football Insider reporting how Man United have been casting a watchful eye over the young English duo.

This week, in an exclusive interview with Football League World's Chief Editor Sam Rourke, Prutton stated how it was testament to the work the 23-year-old has done under Bielsa that clubs like Manchester United are showing an interest.

“From what we’ve seen of Kalvin; growing into a very mature and responsible, reliable player, firstly, you’ve got to say congratulations to the player, and, secondly, you’ve got to look at who has been teaching him, which we all know is Bielsa.  

“It’s testament (the links) to the work that’s been put in, because last time out it was Spurs who were rumoured to be sniffing round and that didn’t sound too fantable, so I don’t think Manchester United sounds fantable.  

“He might’ve only been a Leeds United player, hypothetically, for couple of seconds, but Daniel James has done extremely well, so why couldn’t two players like that?”  

Despite feeling that Phillips would fit into the current Man United midfield well, he did touch on his loyalties to his boyhood club.

He continued: “I can see Kalvin fitting into a midfield such as that very, very nicely.

“Again, it is not beyond the realms of possibility. But, as ever, a boyhood Leeds United fan, who has probably sat on the Kop and watched them against Manchester United, it is a real test of the mettle if they come knocking on the door, but, he’d be daft not to give it some serious thought.”  

White is only at Leeds on-loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, but Prutton has been impressed with what he’s seen from the player in his first 16 games at Championship level.

“Ben has looked very composed on the ball, he’s got some very good experience across the Football League and he’s showing exactly that with Leeds.”