Vidic 'was a better player for a longer period of time' than Van Dijk, says Mee

Brentford defender Ben Mee has been dragged - although somewhat forcibly - into Jamie Carragher's debate over who was the better Premier League centre-back between Nemanja Vidic and Virgil van Dijk.

Former Liverpool defender Carragher ranted recently that Red's defender Van Dijk 'is far better' than what Manchester United's serial title-winning captain was during his time in the English top-flight.

Carragher was demonstrating support for Van Dijk after the Netherland's defender was heavily criticised for his performance in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Now he has put Brentford centre-back Mee to the sword for his opinion on the matter as the duo co-hosted Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show covering Liverpool's 6-1 thrashing of relegation-threatened Leeds.

Mee was being run through a series of quick-fire questions and after being asked about what defenders he looked up to the most, was pressed by Carragher for an answer on his social media debate.

Mee's response shocked Carragher as he labelled the Man United man as the better overall defender, saying: 'I knew you were going to ask me that.

'Different players...I think Vidic was a better player for a longer period of time, Van Dijk has been good for Liverpool in this period but I think Vidic has..

His counterpart interjected: 'So Van Dijk hasn't done it for long enough?

However, Mee reaffirmed his decision, adding: 'It's not about doing it for long enough, it's just Vidic has done it for longer.'

Carragher has encountered plenty of critics for his views on the debate that he started himself and doubled-down on social media as he sourced reasons for believing Van Dijk was the superior star.

He quoted the Serbian defender's struggles against Fernando Torres as one reason and additionally stressed that Vidic hadn't previously been spoken about as the best player in the league during his time captaining United, whereas Van Dijk has at Liverpool.

A now-retired Vidic won two Premier League player of the season awards between 2008 and 2011. Van Dijk currently has just one.

Carragher then quizzed Mee on who he felt was the greatest ever defender to compete in English football.

However, the Brentford stalwart this time plucked out a completely different name.

He mentioned his admiration for Chelsea's legendary captain John Terry and also Rio Ferdinand, but reserved a place for previous Manchester City hardman Vincent Kompany at top spot.

Mee added: 'I like them two but I am going Kompany.

The Belgian was embarking on his most successful years at the Etihad when a now 33-year-old Mee began his rise through the ranks at the reigning Premier League champions.

Born in Sale, Manchester, Mee came up through the youth ranks at City but managed just one senior first-team appearance for his boyhood club - a 2-1 defeat to West Brom in the League cup in 2010 - before being sold to Burnley after an initial loan spell.