In a remarkable footballing 'what if', legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson once opted against signing a future Liverpool captain due to an unusual critique of his physicality.
The Scouting Report That Ended United's Interest
Sir Alex Ferguson had been monitoring a young Jordan Henderson during the midfielder's formative years at Sunderland. Black Cats boss Steve Bruce was a vocal advocate for his player's talent and potential.
However, after dispatching his scouts to assess Henderson, Ferguson made a decisive and now infamous judgement. In his autobiography, the Scot wrote that while they had looked at Henderson extensively, they observed he "runs from his knees, with a straight back", contrasting him with the modern footballer who runs from the hips.
Ferguson concluded that this distinctive gait might lead to physical problems later in the player's career, leading United to end their pursuit.
Anfield's Gain: From Sunderland to Liverpool Immortality
United's loss proved to be Liverpool's monumental gain. In the summer of 2011, a 20-year-old Henderson completed a move to Anfield for a fee in the region of £20 million.
His career on Merseyside would spectacularly disprove Ferguson's assessment. After a challenging start, Henderson grew into a pivotal figure. He was appointed club captain in 2015, succeeding the iconic Steven Gerrard.
Under his leadership and the management of Jürgen Klopp, Henderson spearheaded one of Liverpool's greatest ever eras. The pinnacle arrived in 2019 when he lifted the Champions League trophy in Madrid. A year later, he hoisted the prize he coveted most, captaining Liverpool to their first-ever Premier League title in the 2019/20 season.
Reactions and Legacy: A Point Proved on the Pitch
When Ferguson's comments were published, Henderson himself responded with characteristic class. He stated he was never bothered by the remarks, viewing them instead as a compliment that a manager of Ferguson's stature had been watching him.
"I was never aware of any interest from United and I'm happy with how things worked out," Henderson said, focusing on his journey with Liverpool.
His then-manager, Brendan Rodgers, was less diplomatic. Rodgers branded Ferguson's public critique as "inappropriate" and suggested the United great should apologise if he ever met Henderson, arguing such comments could damage a young player.
Henderson's career trajectory served as the ultimate rebuttal. He made 492 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 33 goals and providing 58 assists, before his surprise departure to Saudi Arabia in 2023. His legacy, however, is cemented not in statistics but in the major trophies he led the club to win.
The story adds a fascinating layer to the intense rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool, highlighting a rare transfer misjudgement by Ferguson that inadvertently strengthened his club's greatest foe.
