Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly targeting a move for Dutch centre-back Van Dijk this January.

Van Dijk has been a mainstay in the Southampton back line since his move from Celtic at the beginning of last season. The 25-year-old’s performances during his first season of English football were impressive to say the least.

As a result there are no shortage of interested parties, particularly in the Northwest. Mourinho is said to be growing increasingly frustrated with England international Chris Smalling and could be looking to add some steel to his defence by snapping up the Dutchman this January.

Van Dijk, who is rated at £30m, was an integral part of a side that went on a run of 6 Premier League games without conceding a goal last season. He’d surely improve a United defence that has looked shaky in recent weeks, with the 4-0 defeat by Chelsea a particular lowlight.

However, Van Dijk has also attracted interest from a host of other teams. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are rumoured to have taken an interest, which could result in a tug-of-war battle between the two rivals.

With Van Dijk’s long-term future very much up in the air, here are THREE reasons why he should choose United over Liverpool this January.

Big name players

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Van Dijk would no doubt welcome linking up with star players like David de Gea, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman will know that he has the added security of arguably the best keeper in the league behind him in de Gea. This relaxes defenders and could help Van Dijk settle quickly, much the same as Eric Bailly has so far this term.

Top attacking players like Ibrahimovic and Pogba are likely to drive United up the table before long, why wouldn’t you want to play in a team with such talents?

Link up with fellow Dutchmen

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

United have a history with Dutch players – think Van Persie and Van Nistelrooy. The current crop at Old Trafford could help aid the settling-in process, allowing Van Dijk to hit the ground running.

Van Dijk will know Daley Blind and Memphis Depay well having played and trained alongside them whilst on international duty.

If the 25-year-old is made to feel comfortable in Manchester he could be a rock at the back for the this season, driving them toward the Champions League places, and who knows maybe even title glory.

United’s trophy cabinet

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Liverpool last won the league way back in 1990, and have only won two trophy’s since 2005. United on the other hand, despite their recent troubles, still finished above Liverpool in 2 of the last 3 seasons and won the FA Cup last term.

There’s no doubt that United are a team that has a realistic chance of bagging silverware before long, with a seemingly never ending pile of cash to throw around, they now have a manager at the club who can attract big name players like Ibrahimovic and Pogba.

The Red Devils are likely to be competing at the top table of English and European football before long and Van Dijk could play a key role in the recovery of this footballing giant.