Klopp’s show of ambition could prompt United to back Mourinho’s call to spend more (Getty)

Liverpool’s record move for defender Virgil van Dijk could have a knock-on effect for Manchester United’s transfer plans, according to reports.

The Netherlands international will complete a £75m move to Anfield when the January window opens, making him both Liverpool’s record signing and the most expensive defender ever.

The transfer comes amid Jose Mourinho’s public concerns over the lack of money United have spent, which has only been highlighted further by Van Dijk’s move which has taken Jurgen Klopp’s spending past the £150m mark.

Mourinho said the £300m Man Utd have spent under him is not enough to catch City (Getty)

And, according to the Manchester Evening News, United are now concerned that it is not only rivals Man City that are willing and able to out-spend them, but Liverpool, Chelsea and perhaps even Arsenal too.

That will give Mourinho fresh ammunition in his talks with the board over transfer targets and budget, having claimed the £300m he has spent so far is not enough to win the Premier League title.

Mesut Ozil trains with his neck warmer wrapped up around his nose
United have been linked with a move for Ozil, who is available on a free next summer (Getty)

United have generally topped out their spending at £150m, but that has filled their squad with plenty of chaff, rather than brought in the world-class talent that is needed to bridge the gap to City.

Liverpool’s big spending could also further justify Mourinho’s pragmatic approach in big games and allow him to continue to play the underdog card, given that United’s rivals are all outspending them when it comes to signing defenders.

Speaking earlier this month, Mourinho said: ‘One thing is a big club and another thing is a big football team. They are two different things

‘We are in the second year of trying to rebuild a football team that is not one of the best teams in the world. Manchester City buy full-backs for the price of strikers. When you speak about big football clubs, you are speaking about the history of the club.’

Jose Mourinho instructs Lukaku
Mourinho spent £75m on Lukaku and £89m on Pogba, but claims it is not enough (Getty)

When told that United had spent close to £300m, he replied: ‘It is not enough. And the price for the big clubs, the price for the big clubs is different from the other clubs. So the big, historical clubs are normally punished in the market for that history.

‘When you tell [describe] a club like Manchester United, do you think Milan is not as big as us? You think they are not as big as we are? Do you think Real Madrid are not as big as we are? You think Inter Milan is not as big as we are? There are many big clubs and you say big clubs, I know what is a big club.’