Manchester United Treble winner Jaap Stam admits Virgil van Dijk is a better defender than he was.

Stam was full of praise for Liverpool defender Van Dijk as he spoke about the 28-year-old's development from a youngster in the Eredivisie to the best centre-back in world football.

“It's always been talk in Holland and everybody was speaking about, 'we need another defender like Jaap [Stam]'. and eventually, Virgil came out and he started late," Stam told Stadium Astro.

“He didn't grow up in the academy of a PSV or Ajax. He built his own career by starting at smaller teams and eventually going to Scotland as well and then coming into the UK. Then growing and also you need to work for yourself and he did it."

Asked if Van Dijk is as good as he was in his prime, former Manchester United centre-back Stam responded: “Yeah, maybe [he's] even better, I don't know. But Virgil is a presence. That's very important as a football player if you want to play in the highest leagues and the biggest clubs.

“Positioning yourself is very important. In possession but also out of possession because it helps you a lot. You get more time to do things as well and he's doing a fantastic job."