Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk is unlikely to be too worried about facing Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo this season, according to Simon Jordan.

The former Crystal Palace chairman, turned pundit, believes the Portuguese international’s age and lack of pace means he won’t be feared by the top defences in the Premier League:

“I don’t think Ronaldo is going to put the fear of god in Virgil van Dijk, I don’t think Ronaldo will put fear into some of these central defences. But he will probably fear of god into Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers or Burnley or Brentford or Newcastle United.”

“I know he’s a big game player but if you got big occasion players who play against proper centre-backs we will see if Ronaldo is still able to turn the screw at a level that I question he’ll be able to do.”

It would be wise not to underestimate Ronaldo’s abilities. He may be 36 years of age but the forward remains a clinical finisher. It is, though, right to point out that the Portuguese legend is a very different player to the one that left England twelve years ago.

When Ronaldo last played in the Premier League, he was a fast, tricky winger, who could beat his fullback with raw speed. He is now more of a conventional number nine; someone who can get into the right positions and convert chances.

The 36-year-old won’t be running in behind the likes of van Dijk, and the Liverpool defender will likely come out on top in a one-on-one battle. Even so, it will be an intriguing match-up when United host the Reds at Old Trafford in October.