Virgil van Dijk was a target for Manchester UnitedFor Liverpool, there is no greater satisfaction than triumphing over Manchester United. Throughout the last decade, the momentum in English football's most legendary rivalry has swung decisively in favour of Anfield, largely thanks to the imposing figure of Virgil van Dijk. According to former Southampton colleague Charlie Austin, Van Dijk was in serious discussions with United during the summer of 2017. Read our Privacy Policy"I said to him, 'Come on Virgil, what's going on, surely Manchester United must have been in for you? Van Dijk has not only flourished on Merseyside, but is now considered amongst the greatest defenders of his era - possibly of any era.

Source: Express February 02, 2026 11:50 UTC