Eric Cantona, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith’s transfers from Leeds to Manchester United remembered with Kalvin Phillips rumoured to follow in their footsteps

Kalvin Phillips is Leeds United through and through; there is no question.

The England international was born in Leeds and has graduated from the academy and is now arguably the Whites' best player.

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But could he follow in the footsteps of Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith and Eric Cantona and cross the Pennines to join Manchester United?

Well, the 26-year-old has been identified by the Red Devils as a top target ahead of the summer and it is possible that he will be playing his football at Old Trafford next year.

Now, a lot could depend on if Leeds remain in the Premier League or not. You would think that if they stay up, the Whites might be able to keep Phillips even if they receive a massive offer. But, if they go down, Phillips might have to be sold to balance the books.

Another factor to consider is that Phillips understands the rivalry between the Red Devils and Leeds.

So, unlike Ferdinand and Cantona, Phillips knows the history of the clubs and making that move to Old Trafford wouldn't go down very well in Leeds.

Therefore, there are many factors at play here, and if Man United appointed Erik Ten Hag as their new manager, a move for Phillips could be on the cards. The player would face a tricky decision that these three all made, with varying levels of success.

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Eric Cantona

The mercurial Frenchman initially signed for Leeds on loan in 1992 before they made the move permanent later that year.

Cantona only played 28 league matches for the Whites, in which he scored nine goals, but that was enough to convince the Red Devils to bring him in.

He helped Leeds win the Charity Shield and the league in that short period of time. But Cantona didn't like Howard Wilkinson's style of play and their relationship deteriorated to the point where Wilkinson was willing to let him join their bitter rivals.

The Leeds managing director at the time, Bill Fotherby, knew the board would be 'slaughtered' for the decision but Wilkinson was adamant he wanted him gone.

The move was completed very quickly and Manchester United got their man for £1.2million. Leeds fans responded angrily to this and phoned local newspaper hotlines to express their dissatisfaction with the board.

Meanwhile, Cantona went on to provide some magical and shocking moments for the Red Devils. Despite his crazy kung-fu kick at Crystal Palace, Cantona was definitely a success.

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Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand started his career with West Ham in 1995, but he swapped east London for Yorkshire in 2000 for a then British transfer record of £18m.

The former England international played at Elland Road for two years before he decided to move away.

Ferdinand has revealed he could have gone public and pushed for a move to Old Trafford that way, but instead, he sat in Peter Ridsdale's office and told him he wasn't moving until he sorted out a transfer.

Eventually, the two clubs agreed on a deal that saw Ferdinand join Manchester United for £33m.

The former defender returned two months later and was greeted with jeers from the home crowd as the Red Devils lost 1-0 to the Whites.

However, the move definitely worked out for Ferdinand as he stayed at Old Trafford for 12 years, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy.

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Alan Smith

Smith's transfer from Leeds to Manchester United might be the most controversial deal between the clubs.

The former striker turned midfielder was born in Rothwell, West Yorkshire, so he wasn't like Ferdinand or Cantona and knew the rivalry between the two clubs.

Smith made his debut for the Whites aged just 18 and helped them to the Champions League semi-finals during the 2000/01 season. He was someone young boys in Yorkshire looked up to because he was a local lad living the dream at Elland Road.

But years of poor financial decisions saw Leeds get relegated in the 2003/04 season and Smith was sold by Leeds to Man United for £7m.

He had said that he would never sign for the Red Devils, but with the Whites in a financial mess, he made a move that benefitted his career and saved the club of his heart.

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The move went down terribly with Leeds fans, and after a horrific injury in 2006, Smith was never the same player. In the end, this transfer didn't work out and some Leeds fans still haven't forgiven Smith.

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If Phillips were to do the same, you would imagine that could be the most controversial transfer of the lot.