Jose Mourinho dismissed Manchester United's move for Virgil van Dijk before the defender left Southampton for Liverpool.

The Independent says Van Dijk's name was put forward by the Red Devils before his £75million move from Southampton to Liverpool .

Club bosses were willing to table a bid and look to beat Liverpool to the signature of the Dutchman.

But manager Mourinho said no to the move as he did not want to add another centre-back to his squad at that time.

By the time he made the position a top priority the next transfer window, Van Dijk was a Liverpool player and transforming Jurgen Klopp's defence.