02 December 2023 , 08:30
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There's few debates that Manchester United and Liverpool fans will agree to settle one - but when it comes to comparing an iconic defender from each team Frank Leboeuf has tried doing it for them.
Both Nemanja Vidic and Virgil van Dijk are in the frame when it comes to discussing the best centre-backs in the Premier League era. Vidic left United in 2014 and retired from football two years later, having contributed to five Premier League titles, three League Cup wins, and both Champions League and World Club Cup glory.
It's not a trophy cabinet Van Dijk can quite match, although the current Liverpool captain has also lifted each of those trophies once, as well as an FA Cup. And he's now producing the kind of form which made him arguably the best in the world prior to his anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2020 which ruled him out for nine months.
And it was before that setback that Leboeuf was asked to compete the Dutchman to Vidic, one of only four players to win the Premier League Player of the Season award twice. He told ESPN FC : "I would go for Van Dijk. I think he's more complete.
"I loved Vidic, because I think he was a dog, and a fantastic defender. But Van Dijk can lead the team and has range. I don’t think Vidic was capable of doing that. Hats off to Vidic, though."
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The decision of the 1998 World Cup winner may not have been perceived as clinical, but he's well placed to speak on top-flight defenders. The now 55-year-old spent five seasons at Chelsea between 1996 and 2001, helping them to two FA Cups, one League Cup and a Cup Winners' Cup.
Nemanja Vidic captained Man Utd from 2011 until 2014
Van Dijk is having another excellent season (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Virgil van Dijk or Nemanja Vidic? Comment below.
Ironically, his judgement came when Van Dijk and co were in the dark as to whether the Reds would end the wait for a Premier League title, and a first top-flight crown in 30 years. The league had been halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with fans fearing previous results would be declared null and void.
However, the campaign did eventually return, with a congested schedule and in empty stadiums. Liverpool eventually finished 18 points clear of Manchester City, narrowly missing out on a record points total.
And the 32-year-old was installed as club captain this summer following Jordan Henderson's shock move to Saudi Arabia. He's now made 234 appearances for the Merseyside club, closing in on the 300 that Serbian international Vidic made for United.