The former Man United star asked to choose between Rio Ferdinand and Virgil van Dijk and his decision will be unpopular

Phil Jones believes Virgil van Dijk would still have been “incredible” in a different era of the Premier League.

the first manchester united The defender greeted Liverpool captain while comparing him with Fernando River.

3

Jones had been asked Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports to choose between the two centre-backs.

The former England player began by explaining: “I think for a modern centre-back, what you would want is to know that he is dominant, he is excellent on the ball, he is a threat in both areas.”

Redknapp then asked if Van Dijk he would have been just as good during the era Ferdinand played in, highlighting the lack of teams playing two forwards at once in the modern game.

Jones added: “Yeah, I think he would. I think it would be harsh to say he wouldn't have been as good as he is now in that era. I think he still would have been the best.”

Since joining the Reds in 2018, Van Dijk has made 290 appearances and scored 25 goals from defence.

He has also won eight trophies, including the Champions League, Club World Cup and First Division.

As a result, Jones chose the Dutchman over Ferdinand, explaining: “I have to choose Van Dijk, simply because I think what he has given to Liverpool over the last five or six years has been incredible.

“Ok, he may have had a little dip in form in the last four or five months, but I think he's up there again now.”

The 32-year-old continued: “I used to think about the players we were up against back then when we were fighting for titles, about getting to the latter stages of the competitions and seeing Liverpool if they were in the competition, I thought too.” “How are they going to score if Van Dijk is on the field? He's a top-level player, I can't deny that.”

Under Arne Slot this season, Van Dijk has helped Liverpool top the Premier League and Champions League standings.

3

He also scored two goals and provided assists from defense in 20 appearances in all competitions.

In those games, the 33-year-old kept 12 clean sheets and conceded just 12 goals.

However, he could leave the club at the end of the season and his contract will expire next summer.

Jones' selection may come as a surprise after having played alongside Ferdinand at Old Trafford.

Of his 229 appearances for the Red Devils, 55 were in the same team as Ferdinand between 2011 and 2014.

During that time, the pair won both the Community Shield and the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand made a total of 455 appearances for United and scored eight goals.

He left the club in 2014 after winning 15 trophies, including the Champions League, the Club World Cup and six league titles.

The former Leeds player also earned 81 caps for England before retiring in 2015 at the age of 36.