'Van Disney' trends on Twitter after Virgil van Dijk's dodgy defending for Jadon Sancho goal

'Van Disney' has been trending on Twitter after Virgil van Dijk's bizarre defending for Manchester United's opener against Liverpool.

Jadon Sancho put the hosts up in the 16th minute after a fine start, with the England international showing remarkable composure to roll the ball into the corner following lovely combination play between Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga down the left.

But from a Liverpool perspective it was a woeful goal to concede. Not only were James Milner and Alisson Becker both absolutely sent to the shops, fans were less than impressed by Van Dijk looking like he was frozen as he kept his hands behind his back.

That composure 🤤

Calm as you like from Jadon Sancho and Manchester United lead at Old Trafford! 💥 pic.twitter.com/7ZkB2jf1FO

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 22, 2022

And for the second time this season, 'Van Disney', a new jibe many are using to go after Liverpool's No.4, was getting all sorts of reaction online:

pic.twitter.com/KSeKtVkoY4
WHAT WAS VAN DISNEY DOING??😭😭

— 𝙇𝘾𝙁𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙍𝙑𝙎 🦊 (@lcfcharvs) August 22, 2022

Van Disney during that Sancho goal pic.twitter.com/2qOa8yj4CH

— maybe:isaac (@IA37__) August 22, 2022

Van Disney with his nonchalant defending LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

— Dios Mio (@Farda_Alphonso) August 22, 2022

What was Van Disney doing 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 he froze

— Amit Zohar (@amitttrmfc) August 22, 2022

Van Disney pic.twitter.com/07fyorlrMA

— Peché Africa🇿🇦 (@peche_africa_) August 22, 2022

Every legendary PL defender (KOMPANY JT stam Rio) would be at Sancho's feet and van Disney tryna keep his hair in check #MUNLIV #MUFC pic.twitter.com/2g6mOe5Omu

— Jedid (@Jedid72) August 22, 2022

Sancho cooked both Van Disney and James Milner pic.twitter.com/nfxHitCDyv

— Omar Aref 🇦🇪 (@LosB1ancos_) August 22, 2022

Van Disney using his aura to make the shot not go into the goal🥶 pic.twitter.com/pfa7nNU7fe

— W✰ (@wandxrs) August 22, 2022

Milner and Van Dijk were seen having a strong exchange of words after the goal, with the former incredibly animated in the discussion.

Van Dijk, widely considered to be the best in the world in his position had a poor showing in Liverpool's first game of the season and gave a penalty after being skinned by Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who became the first player to dribble past him since he joined Liverpool in January 2018.

And he and his Liverpool teammates looked very ropey at the back against United, who caused all sorts of problems with their energy, aggression and pace in attack with the likes of Elanga, Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

Elanga hit the post early on after being played in behind and there was the feeling that United were a threat every time they went forward.

With injuries to Ibrahim Konate and Joel Matip, Van Dijk was partnered by Joe Gomez at the heart of Liverpool's backline. The last time they started together in the Premier League was that horrific 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa in October 2020 and it was the same sort of defending on show here.