Kalvin Phillips shares dressing room message ahead of Leeds United's showdown with Manchester United
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As a local boy Kalvin Phillips knows just how much Leeds United's trip to Old Trafford this weekend means in West Yorkshire.
Marcelo Bielsa's side will travel to face arch rivals Manchester United in the Premier League for the first time in nearly 17 years on Sunday afternoon (16:30).
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Hide AdThe Whites and Red Devils came to blows in 2010 in the FA Cup in Manchester but Leeds visited as a League One outfit that day as Jermaine Beckford wrote his name into Elland Road folklore.
Thorp Arch academy product and England midfielder Phillips was only 8 years old when the two last faced each other on a level playing field across the M62.
United's defensive midfielder has called the encounter one of the club's "biggest" games of the season, knowing what it means to the city and its supporters ahead of kick-off.
The now 25-year-old has taken it upon himself to be the voice in the dressing room ahead of the renewed rivalries, just in case any of his teammates were in any doubt.
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Hide Ad"I've always understood how big it was. We've not been in the top flight for some time," Phillips told 5 Live Sport.
"I grew up when Leeds were in the top flight and then we faded away and didn't play them as much, but still, to this day, I can remember my family members, just how hostile it was, and with tackles flying in.
"It's one game this year I'm looking forward to because I know what it means to everyone.
"I've been walking around the changing room after the Newcastle game, telling everyone to make sure they're ready and doing everything they can to recover their muscles to get ready because this is the biggest game of the season."
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