Gary Neville believes that bringing in a player like Virgil van Dijk would significantly impact the culture and performance of the Manchester United squad, as he doesn’t think that Raphael Varane has the same influence as Van Dijk. Neville highlighted that Van Dijk has the ability to improve the players around him, something he feels Varane lacks in United’s defense. While Varane is a talented defender, Neville believes that he doesn’t have the same leadership qualities as Van Dijk, who can manage and uplift the entire backline.
Raphael Varane joined Manchester United in 2021 from Real Madrid, but has faced injury setbacks that have hindered his progress with the club. Despite his credentials and individual performances, Neville feels that Varane falls short in terms of managing and influencing the players around him. On the other hand, Van Dijk, a key player for Liverpool, has a commanding presence on the pitch and possesses the ability to transform the team’s culture. Neville suggests that adding a player like Van Dijk to the Manchester United squad would bring dominance and leadership that is currently lacking.
Neville acknowledges Varane’s strengths in defending his part of the pitch and dominating in the air, but believes that he may not have the same impact on the overall performance of the team. He contrasts Varane with legendary center backs like Van Dijk and John Terry, who had the ability to not only excel individually but also inspire and manage their fellow defenders. Neville emphasizes the importance of having a commanding figure like Van Dijk to change the culture and dynamics of Manchester United, similar to the influence of players like Roy Keane and Vincent Kompany in the past.
The former Manchester United defender also discusses the significance of having a strong spine in the team, mentioning the likes of Van Dijk and Mo Salah as players who bring dominance and presence on the pitch. While United has talented forwards, Neville believes that adding a player like Van Dijk could have a more transformative impact on the team’s performance. He highlights the importance of having a leader who can hold the team together and inspire the players to improve and excel, suggesting that Van Dijk could fulfill that role at Manchester United.
In his analysis, Neville states that Van Dijk’s presence goes beyond just his individual abilities as a defender, emphasizing his aura and leadership qualities on the pitch. He compares Van Dijk to current players at Manchester United like Antony and Marcus Rashford, suggesting that the Dutch international could elevate their performances and help build a stronger and more cohesive team. Neville believes that Van Dijk’s impact on the team dynamic would be more significant than that of a talented forward like Salah, highlighting the importance of leadership and influence in creating a winning culture.
Overall, Neville’s assessment points to the need for a dominant and influential figure like Virgil van Dijk to be added to the Manchester United squad in order to transform the team’s culture and dynamics. While acknowledging Raphael Varane’s individual talents as a defender, Neville feels that Van Dijk’s leadership qualities and ability to inspire his teammates set him apart as a player who can make a substantial difference in improving the overall performance of the team. As United continues to strive for success, Neville sees the addition of a player like Van Dijk as a crucial step towards building a stronger and more cohesive team capable of competing at the highest level.
