Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has spoken about Manchester United’s mistake in signing former Southampton team-mate Charlie Austin. Virgil Van Dijk was one of the Merseysiders’ biggest signings in recent history.
The current captain of the Reds and Netherlands national team was one of the key members of the team that won many titles. Anfield Giants signed the 32-year-old for £75m from Southampton in January 2018. Since then, he has made 233 appearances for United in all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 14 assists (stats Transfermarkt).
But things could have been very different, with Manchester United being strong rivals for the Dutchman. However, the Red Devils have signed Swedish defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica. Virgil has revealed why Old Trafford didn’t sign him alongside former team-mate Charlie Austin. In an interview in 2021, Austin said: I remember the end of his career at Southampton when we were on the bench together at Chelsea. I was sitting there and I was like, “Virgil, what’s going on? “Perhaps Manchester United looked after you?” More than a big club in England. He said: “You know what Chaz is, it was between me and Lindelof in the summer and they signed Lindelof.””The manager was there, Pellegrino was there, in the summer he wanted to leave.
Before the season he took all of us out, including Virg, and said: ‘Look, Virgil wants to leave and the club won’t let him go. “I remember saying he’s not working so he can’t train with us.” In front of everyone, including Virgil.
He was even more surprised because there was no word or anything from the manager. I go there and train with fitness trainers and physiotherapists. Despite summer signings, the transfer window closed two days later and Virg started on Saturday. He apologized to the players but they told them ‘Berg, we know you’ve been linked with Liverpool. You wanted to leave and we’re fine, but we’re glad he’s still there. brought “Now Van Dijk has to thank Fata every day that Manchester United didn’t sign him. LFC’s bitter rivals are currently facing their worst start to a season in 34 years.
United signed Harry Maguire for £80m two years later but still regrets the decision. On the other hand, Virgil van Dijk is already a symbol of Liverpool and a future legend.
