01 June 2024 , 14:14
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Virgil van Dijk has claimed he will “never” play for Manchester United after being spurned by the Red Devils in the past.
The Dutchman has been a key player for Liverpool ever since joining the Reds for £75m from Southampton in 2018. He has won several trophies during his spell at Anfield - including the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Now Liverpool’s captain, he was asked whether he would prefer to play for fierce rivals Man United or Everton - and had a predictably forthright response. Speaking to Pro:Direct, he replied: “Haha, I’m not even going to answer that question because it would never happen.”
Van Dijk did have the opportunity to become a Red Devil earlier in his career, when United were interested in signing him during Jose Mourinho's stint at Old Trafford.
Speaking in 2021, the defender’s former Southampton teammate Charlie Austin confirmed that Man United instead moved for Swedish defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica. He said: “I remember the back end of his Southampton career we were on the bench together at Chelsea away.
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“I sat there I said, ‘come on Virgil, what’s going on, surely Man United must’ve been in for you? Massive club in England, etc’. He said, ‘you know what Chaz, in the summer it was like between me or Lindelof and they signed Lindelof’.
“I was like, ‘you are joking!’ Nobody knows that, he told me that on the bench. I couldn’t believe it, I was just as gobsmacked as you. Obviously there was talk in the summer he was going to go there then they’ve gone and taken Lindelof instead.”
Shortly after signing Lindelof, Man United elected to spend big on their defence once again. They signed Harry Maguire from Leicester for £80m from Leicester but he has endured a rollercoaster stint at Old Trafford. He has regularly been linked with exits and his future looked equally as unpredictable this summer. Maguire has just one year left on his contract.
Virgil van Dijk could have been signed by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United (Getty Images)Who should Liverpool sign this summer? Share your thoughts in the comments below
The England star however wants to stay with the club regardless of who the manager is next season. On the topic of managers, Van Dijk has revealed that he has already held talks with new Liverpool boss Arne Slot regarding his future.
"I still have one year left on my contract," he said. "Nothing will change. I am captain of the club and I have made that clear. I am there for the manager and I am looking forward to the new season."
Asked about discussions between him and Slot, Van Dijk added. "Yes. What did I say? How are you? No, we talked about everything and anything.”
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