John Barnes: New Man United signing should try to emulate Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool FC legend John Barnes has some advice for Man United signing Harry Maguire
John Barnes has urged Harry Maguire to focus on Manchester United rather than attempting to emulate Virgil van Dijk.
The England international moved to Manchester United in an £80m deal from Leicester City last week following months of speculation.
Maguire’s transfer fee surpassed the £75m that Liverpool FC paid Southampton for Van Dijk in January 2018.
Therefore, the Netherlands international is no longer the most expensive defender in the world after Maguire’s transfer.
Van Dijk justified his transfer fee last season after the Dutch star helped Liverpool FC to win the Champions League title thanks to a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the final.
The Liverpool FC talisman won the PFA player of the year award last season after the Reds conceded a mere 22 times in the Premier League after losing one game.
Former Reds captain Barnes has advised Maguire to forget about trying to emulate Van Dijk’s impact.
“Rather than Maguire thinking that he wants to be like Van Dijk, let him concentrate on trying to play well for Man United,” Barnes told BonusCodesBets.
“Becoming a legend for United means being there for 10 years, you can’t think about it if you will be there for one season.
“I don’t think he is thinking about being like Van Dijk, he is thinking about being Harry Maguire – a good player for Man United.”
Manchester United signed Swansea City winger Daniel James, Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Leicester defender Maguire in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils failed to sign any new players on transfer deadline day but Romelu Lukaku completed a move to Inter Milan in a big money deal.
Manchester United finished in sixth place in the Premier League table last term.
