24 Oct 2013

'We looked at him, but...' - Fergie reveals why Man Utd rejected £20m LFC star. Fair?

Former Man United manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he considered signing Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson prior to his £20m move to Anfield.

In his newly released autobiography, Ferguson reveals that United monitored Henderson's progress, and also explains why he passed on bringing the midfielder to Old Trafford. He observes:

"We looked at Jordan Henderson a lot, and Steve Bruce was unfailingly enthusiastic about him.

"But we noticed that Henderson runs from his knees, with a straight back.

"The modern footballer runs from his hips, and we thought this gait might cause him problems later in his career"


If this is a real issue, then why did Liverpool not pick up on it? Did the club dismiss it as unimportant, or miss it altogether?

Liverpool (hopefully) watched Hendo extensively prior to the purchase, so they would've been aware of any potential problem.

In any event, the chances of Henderson being at Liverpool 'later in his career' (i.e. in the latter stages) seem slim, so it may not even affect the Reds.

If Ferguson had gone in for Hendo, I sincerely doubt, however, that he would've spent £20m (!).

In his pre-West Brom press conference this afternoon, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that he is 'disappointed' by Ferguson's thoughts on Hendo. He told reporters:

"The statement on Jordan Henderson was inappropriate I thought. He's only 23, and comes in here every single day to give everything. There was reference towards his running style. Every player will be medically assessed, and those areas will improve. I just didn't think it was right".

To be fair, I don't see what's so bad about Ferguson's comments. He hasn't denigrated Henderson, he's merely explained the medical reason why Man Utd chose not to sign him. What's so 'inappropriate' about that?

Author:


33 comments:

  1. Is that even a real thing?
    I find it strange that people cite these as potential deals breakers, because there is nothing stopping any player joining a club and then the very next day getting a career ending injury. Yes its an unlikely thing, but still possible, and if this "knee" thing effects Henderson, whos to say it wouldn't be until he was 30.

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  2. Yeah, probably why LFC (possibly) ignored it. I doubt Hendo will still be at LFC when he's 30.

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  3. Jamie, I am tempted to say "seems everyone has desided to ignor you on this" But to do that will be to give you the attention you crave for...so just imagine me deleting as i type!

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  4. seems a very lame statement from old Red Nose....All top clubs have brilliant medical staff,and Dr Zac is as good as they get. I was not a big fan of Henderson, but I trust BR and he is a fit lad. I thought he did well as a wing back in the recent formations. As a realistic but fervent Liverpool fan, I will always support anyone who gives 100%. I remember the things said about Carragher when he was Hendo's age, and that turned out ok:-) YNWA

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  5. mark hughes had an odd running style also but he was good

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  6. I've looked in the Ministry of Silly Walks, and indeed this is a real thing. It is said to affect someones performance and longevity as much as the inability to chew gum with your mouth closed.
    What a bunch of bull - I think that Henderson fits the mould for a MU type player, and this is Ferguson's way of rationalizing it. Same as saying SG is not Top top, yet he wanted to sign him?

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  7. Comments from a miserable old man fergie who needed refs assistance to win games and he wishes he had gerrard in his team hypocrite

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  8. Never though SAF would be doing this when he'd retire. Making himself look as much classless as the club he's worked for is famous.

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  9. How often does Henderson miss a came through injury? Ferguson talking through his arse.

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  10. At first I was baffled... now I'm just amused...


    Imagine the internal meetings at ManU:


    Fergie: We like Henderson, but I don't want him.

    Gill: Why not?


    Fergie: Well, it's his running style...


    Gill: There's a questioning of his effort?


    Fergie: No, the effort's there. I just don't like the form in which he runs... he uses his knees to run as opposed to his hips.


    Gill: ...

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  11. Good one. However he arrived at the decision, he probably made the right choice, though...?

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  12. Just furthering the comparisons with a Horse with his "gait". He works hard, doesn't get injured, or slow down. I highly doubt there is too much to what this old man is saying. Sour grapes is all.
    On another note, Hendo is improving, good article on whoscored here:
    http://www.whoscored.com/Blog/amjuapqgo0qroktj1psgwg/Show/Player-Focus-Jordan-Henderson-Now-Of-Huge-Value-To-Liverpool

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  13. Ridiculous. What about Michael Johnson the runner. He had awful form for a track athlete and look how that worked out for him.

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  14. Approved


    Sent from Samsung Mobile

    -------- Original message --------

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  15. Thanks. The Ministry of Silly Walks comment not getting approved?

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  16. I hope Henderson doesn't get subconscious and start running like a sea serpent trapped on land.
    Fergie's mind games never stop...

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  17. As an Arsenal I love Rafa, his response to Fergie's book quotes would have been a lot more aggressive than Rodgers. Fergie was a bully who did'nt like being taken on, good ole Rafa.

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  18. Wil someone please teach Martin always injured and DEMANDS m ore money Kelly to run - edup to heback teeth with this guyand his lousyatitude -GET RID IN JANUARY

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  19. f"ck me we relied on a man with no legs to fly a spitfire to stop our chippies getin bombed and soft arse is makin comments about a players runnin style . off topic a manc couple are getting divorced! but the good news is they still love each other like any sister and brother should

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  20. The right choice? Yes.


    But not because of the talent of the player...


    Because of the fact that we well overpaid for him.

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  21. Rafa's rant in 08/09 saw Rafa losing his job in 09/10. I am no fan of Fergie but he had the last laugh as manager most of the time. Rafa I am afraid was no match.

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  22. Where did Kelly demand more money? Maybe there is something wrong with your attitude.

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  23. I can't see Hendo at LFC at 30 but stranger things have happened. I wasn't a fan of Hendo initially as I felt technically he wasn't a LFC player, coupled with his price tag. But I feel under BR he has become more tactically astute and his engine is his redeeming feature, even though he runs like he has a broom down his back.

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  24. explains why
    but he never tried to sign Beardsley hmmm could have been the hump

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  25. Would you say that to his face?

    God, you probably would, wouldn't you. Ugh.

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  26. You sincerely doubt that Ferguson would have spent close to £20m on Henderson?

    Phil Jones and Anderson may argue otherwise...

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  27. Maybe Phil Jones should run with a straight back also and he'll stop having so many problems right now in his career...

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  28. Who is this Liverpool FC star the Whiskey Nose tried to sign? All I see is Henderson's name mentioned and he is most definitely not even close to being a decent player, let alone a star....


    As for his "gait", I'd be lying if I said I hadn't noticed it before, but in all honesty, that's the least of his problems, passing forward and being able to turn on the ball for once in his life should be the first few of the many things he needs to learn as a footballer. Not that's gonna happen anyway, he's nearly 24...

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  29. I believe it was Henderson who actually turned them down. But good for Fergie, he got Phil Jones instead....hehehe

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  30. IMO it's garbage. AC Milan claimed they didn't sign Aly Cissokho because of a problem with his teeth which could be linked to issues with his spine. Other clubs were happy to have him...but maybe his recent ankle injury was down to his teeth?


    Obviously right choice made because of the price. At the time we signed Henderson United brought in young English talent like Jones and Smalling, so I'm not surprised they looked at him.


    Hendo must be the least injury prone player in the squad and shows no sign of slowing down.

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  31. lets be fair ferguson has proven to all and sundry he maybe a winner but he has no class or grace to be mentioned in the same vein as busby, shanks or paisley.

    He was always a bully and even in retirement he is taking pot shots at his own men and at liverpool.


    Henderson may not be worth 20 million or whatever we paid for him, he may not even be a decent player but to denigrate him simply on the basis of his running style - could be sucker punch for any young footballer.



    As an elder statesman of the game his job is to encourage new talent. What little respect i had for him has gone.

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  32. I noticed on the article it doesn't say anything about hi weaknesses. His biggest weakness is obviously how he runs with a straight back.

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  33. Hey now! Phil Jones has the potential to become one of Utd's best players ever...according to Fergie anyway!

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