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Harry Maguire's Stats Stack Up Well With Virgil Van Dijk's

Harry Maguire's Stats Stack Up Well With Virgil Van Dijk's

Maybe Manchester United are right to spend £80 million on the Leicester City centre back considering how good his stats are.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Harry Maguire has been linked with an £80 million move to Manchester United and his stats compared to Virgil van Dijk suggests it might be money well spent for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

Right now Virgil van Dijk is the measuring stick for every other centre back in football and is in the running for the Ballon d'Or.

His 18 months at Liverpool have made the record £75 million they spent for him look like an actual steal. So could an £80 million move for Harry Maguire also be considered a bit of a steal? It seems so.

According to stats from WhoScored and the Sun, Maguire's stats are pretty similar to Van Dijk, actually beating the Dutchman on occasion.

Maguire had 195 recoveries to Van Dijk's 193 last season, had a better success at aerial duels of 78.1% to 74.9% and made 1.2 interceptions a game to the Liverpool defender's 1.1. Both men scored three goals each and made on average one tackle a game in the league.

Van Dijk does still lead on duel success, 76.3% to 72.7%, pass accuracy, 89.7% to 85.6%, caused 0.6 offsides more per game and had 0.3 more clearances per game.

Van Dijk enjoyed an incredible season at Anfield. Image: PA Images
Van Dijk enjoyed an incredible season at Anfield. Image: PA Images

Of course the Reds' defender famously wasn't dribbled past at all in the league last season, we might have mentioned it, but Maguire was only got past 0.2 times per game himself.

It's worth remembering that England's World Cup cult hero was also playing for a worse side than Van Dijk last season and is a year younger than his 'rival.'

Last season United let in more goals than they ever had in a Premier League season as both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed to get the best out of the defence.

Maguire became a hero for England last summer. Image: PA
Maguire became a hero for England last summer. Image: PA

Mourinho was desperate to add another centre back to the team last summer, and Maguire was on his list then, but they didn't sign anyone.

Again this summer they've been linked with Kalidou Koulibaly, Matthijs de Ligt and Issa Diop, as well as good old 'Slabhead.'

Liverpool signing Van Dijk 18 months ago, as well as Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, completely turned their fortunes around at the back and they had to smash the record for a centre back to do so.

Should United splash the cash on Maguire?

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Manchester City, Harry Maguire, Liverpool, Football News, Leicester City, Manchester United, Nations League, Premier League, Virgil Van Dijk, Champions League

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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@Sidler28