Andy Townsend has made a staggering claim that Kalvin Phillips has returned to Leeds training 'overweight' after sitting out of the Whites' 5-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
The former ITV pundit appeared on talkSPORT on Tuesday, claiming that he'd heard a rumour the England international was unfit when he returned to Thorp Arch this summer, but could not 'justify' his claim.
Phillips was part of the England side that reached the final of Euro 2020 and had a less than two-week break before returning to the Leeds set-up.
The 25-year-old played around 90 minutes of football throughout pre-season and was not deemed up to speed for the fixture.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Townsend said: “Kalvin Phillips is on the bench. You’re at Old Trafford, you’re at Man United first game of the season and there are going to be 70,000 in there.
“I don’t see the point of having Kalvin Phillips on the bench. I see the point of starting him and maybe saying, ‘give me the best hour you’ve got, give me what you can’.
“But I don’t see the point of having someone like him on the bench but not starting him. I really don’t.
“There have been some rumours – and I have no idea where they’re justified or whatever – that he was a bit overweight when he came back after the summer.
“Well if he’s that overweight, he shouldn’t be on the bench. He should be back at Leeds training morning and night to get himself in the best shape for the next game.”
Robin Koch desperately struggled in midfield at Old Trafford and Bielsa will be hoping that Phillips is closer to match fitness this weekend against Everton.
The Whites midfielder was one of the standout figures at the Euro's this summer, drawing praise from Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
