‘We loved him as a player… I missed out on a really good person’: Sir Alex Ferguson bemoans his failure to sign Jordan Henderson for Manchester United as he finally attempts to clear up why he snubbed midfielder because of his running style
- Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed ‘fantastic’ Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson
- The Englishman has helped the Reds to Premier League and European glory
- However, Fergie snubbed Henderson as a youngster due to his running style
- The Man United legend revealed that he ‘missed out on a really good person’
Sir Alex Ferguson says he is not surprised Jordan Henderson has carved out a successful career as the Manchester United legend hailed the Liverpool captain he snubbed as a youngster.
Henderson, 30, joined the Reds in 2011 having attracted admirers from a whole host of clubs with standout performances for boyhood club Sunderland.
Ferguson’s United were interested in landing the then-21-year-old from Wearside. However, the Scot famously opted against signing the midfielder due to his gait.
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed ‘fantastic’ Liverpool star Jordan Henderson despite snubbing him
Ferguson opted against signing a young Henderson in 2011 due to his running style
And the former Red Devils boss has recounted that infamous tale, before heaping praise on the Liverpool captain for what he has gone onto achieve in Merseyside, having guided Jurgen Klopp’s side to Premier League and European glory.
‘We were ready to make a bid for Jordan Henderson at Sunderland. I spoke to Steve Bruce and he loved the guy,’ Ferguson told the A Team Talk With Legends panel in aid of Sports United Against Dementia and the League Managers Association’s charity In The Game.
‘And then our medical department said they were not happy with his running style – he could be the type to have injuries.
The Englishman has gone onto earn hero status with the Reds, winning the title last season
Ferguson heaped praise on the midfielder, saying ‘I missed out on a really good person’
‘I must say it was one of my bits of management to make sure the player is always available.
‘If you sign a player and he is not available for you, it is a waste of time so that is the point I have to make about Jordan.
‘We loved him as a player and he has proved that now, he has been fantastic and all the stories I am being told, it tells me I missed out on a really good person.’
It was Sir Kenny Dalglish who brought Henderson to Anfield 10 years ago, and the Liverpool icon revealed the important he advice he passed onto the young Englishman when he arrived.
Sir Kenny Dalglish lauded Henderson’s character both on and off the pitch having signed him
‘He would wave his arms if he misplaced a pass and I said to him, “don’t do that, if you do that, everyone knows you’ve made a mistake”. It might be a mistake but don’t tell them and take control of yourself and play.
‘We told him he could play and he has, and by the way what an outstanding person he is as well as a footballer.
‘As soon as it was announced we had problems with Covid, he was straight in there to organise to put money towards, along with the other players, those who are not as fortunate.’
