Nicky Butt shares if he thinks Jaap Stam was a better player than Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk

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Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt gave his verdict on whether Jaap Stam was better than Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk ahead of the club’s 100^th trip to Anfield this weekend.

As excitement builds for Sunday’s North West derby at Anfield, Manchester United and Liverpool welcome back their players from their international duty by preparing for the biggest fixture in the English football calendar.

Liverpool have lost their previous three games across all competitions, while United are sitting 10^th in the Premier League after winning just three of their first seven games this season.

Both teams will be eager for three points and bragging rights on Sunday, but Gordon Hill says United must ‘fight’ to get a desired result.

United drew 2-2 at Anfield last season, which means Ruben Amorim is seeking his first win away at Liverpool.

Nicky Butt selects Jaap Stam over Virgil van Dijk

As much as it will pain United fans to say it, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has been one of the most consistent defenders in recent years, and many previously regarded the Netherlands international as the best defender in world football.

Van Dijk will hope to ease concerns over Liverpool’s form with a win this weekend, but he didn’t come out on top when former United midfielder Nicky Butt was asked to pick between the Liverpool captain and Jaap Stam.

As a panellist on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Butt has done a TikTok challenge to select a combined XI of Liverpool and United players.

Butt selected two United centre-backs as he picked Stam over Van Dijk.

Nicky Butt’s combined XI between Man Utd and Liverpool

Butt selected eight United players from a possible eleven when he combined United legends with Liverpool stars.

Peter Schmeichel got the nod ahead of Alisson to play behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rio Ferdinand, Jaap Stam and Denis Irwin. The midfield trio consists of Paul Scholes, Xabi Alonso and Roy Keane to allow Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Sadio Mane pull the strings in attack.

Butt’s combined XI: Schmeichel, Trent, Ferdinand, Stam, Irwin; Scholes, Alonso, Keane; Ronaldo, Rooney, Mane.