Former Leeds and England right-back Danny Mills has warned Director of Football Victor Orta that he will be left with egg on his face, if the United chief cannot tie Kemar Roofe and Kalvin Phillips down to new, long-term deals.
Mills’ comments to Football Insider came after the United executive addressed Phillips and Roofe’s long-running contract situation at a fan forum during the club’s pre-season tour.
Orta is not usually one for public speaking, but shared that he felt ‘100 per cent’ confident that he would be able to secure the player’s futures, with Roofe now in the final year of his deal and Phillips earning vast Premier League interest.
Despite his confidence, Orta has so far failed to live up to his words, with both of Marcelo Bielsa’s key men rejecting the terms offered, as they would like to see their wages moved in line with Patrick Bamford and Kiko Casilla.
The 2018/19 arrivals are believed to earn sums in the region of £30k and £40,000-a-week in West Yorkshire, making them our best-paid players.
If Orta cannot offer them the contracts they are demanding, Mills fears our Director of Football will end up looking ‘very, very silly’ for his bullish comments.
“You start to look very, very silly and a little bit stupid if they suddenly don’t come off,” the former United defender said.
“He doesn’t come out and speak that often so I would assume that they can’t be that far away. Roofe, one outstanding season, a very similar situation to Kalvin Phillips.
“Give him an extension, bump his wages with certain caveats. If you perform well, you’re rewarded. If not, you stay where you are. It’s sensible.”