Charlie Austin, a former teammate of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk at Southampton, has disclosed information regarding the Dutchman’s rejection by Manchester United. Although Van Dijk’s acquisition has been one of the most consequential in Premier League history, much more could have transpired.

Van Dijk was acquired by Liverpool from Southampton for £75 million in January 2018, and the centre-back assisted Jurgen Klopp’s squad in claiming every trophy. Austin, on the other hand, described how Manchester United could have acquired van Dijk a year prior to their archrivals doing so.

Austin reports that during the 2017 summer transfer window, the Red Devils were linked with Van Dijk but ultimately decided to sign Victor Lindelof. According to the former Southampton forward, when Manchester United was forced to choose between Lindelof and van Dijk, they chose the latter.

Austin told The Mirror (via talkSPORT):

“At the conclusion of his tenure at Southampton, I recall that we shared the bench at Chelsea’s away game.” As I sat there, I questioned Virgil, “Come on, what’s going on? Man United must have been after you.” “Massive English club, among others.” “You know what Chaz, during the summer, it was either me or Lindelof, and they signed Lindelof,” he stated.

“I thought, ‘You must be joking!'” That is unknown to everyone, he informed me while sitting on the bench. Just as astounded as you were, I could not believe it. “There was obviously talk during the summer that he was going to go there, but they decided to take Lindelof instead,” Austin continued.

In contrast to the tremendous acquisition that van Dijk has been for Liverpool, Lindelof has struggled to find success at Old Trafford.

To date, the Sweden international has appeared in 246 games for the Red Devils in all competitions, but has only won one League Cup.