Roy Keane thinks Kalvin Phillips will be ‘fuming’ over West Ham benching in defeat at Manchester United

Published: 16:27, 4 Feb 2024Updated: 16:27, 4 Feb 2024

Kalvin Phillips would have been furious at being named on the West Ham bench against Manchester United, according to Roy Keane.

The midfielder signed for the Hammers on loan from Manchester City in January in the search for more game time but experienced the same old disappointment he’s experienced with City on Sunday.

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Phillips proved to have a difficult debut for West HamCredit: Getty

Phillips was named in the starting XI for the visit of Bournemouth on Thursday but got off to the worst possible start in their 1-1 draw.

After just three minutes, he lost possession inside his own area and allowed Dominic Solanke to fire the Cherries in front.

The 28-year-old played 68 minutes before being substituted, but was named on the bench on Sunday for West Ham’s trip to Old Trafford.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the match, Keane revealed his belief that Phillips would be far from pleased with his omission.

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“From the player’s point of view I think he’d be fuming,” Keane said. “You go to get some games, he played 70 minutes, he’s a sitting midfielder, you use your intelligence there in terms of when to sprint and when to sit in.

“Obviously David Moyes will be worried about it in terms of picking up an injury quickly but from the player’s point of view, he has to get minutes under his belt, he has to get games.

“Remember he’s on loan from City, he’s going to Old Trafford and now he’s sitting on the bench.

“Obviously David Moyes is an experienced manager but I think from the player’s point of view, he’ll be fuming.”

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Phillips dropped to the bench and was brought on late into the defeatCredit: AFP

Phillips played just 318 minutes of football for City this season prior to his move to West Ham and made only 21 appearances last term.

Starts came in just four of those matches, with Pep Guardiola clearly not holding him high in the midfield pecking order.

Moyes opted to start Tomas Soucek and Edson Alvarez over Phillips, who eventually replaced Vladimir Coufal in the 72nd minute on Sunday.

However, United went on to claim a 3-0 win on their home turf thanks a goal from Rasmus Hojlund and two from Alejandro Garnacho.

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