Sir Alex Ferguson made a bold claim that a Premier League legend was not a “top, top player,” despite suggestions that he tried to sign him for Manchester United.
The 81-year-old Scotsman called it time on his legendary career at Old Trafford in 2013 after leading the Red Devils to their last Premier League title.
Ferguson’s 26-year reign saw a star-studded list of talented players feature under him, despite the United legend saying he only managed four world-class footballers.
The ex-United boss, who claimed only one player would be a certainty in his all-time XI, lifted 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues with the Red Devils.
During his prolific spell at Old Trafford, Ferguson was known to speak his mind on both players and managers and wasn’t afraid to show his famous temperament.
Following the end of his United career, the iconic Scotsman continued to pull no punches and dropped his honest verdict on one legendary ex-Premier League player.
United legend Ferguson didn’t rate ‘top’ Steven Gerrard
Ferguson previously expressed his desire to sign Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time.
Gerrard is often pitted in heated debates alongside United legend Paul Scholes and Chelsea hero Frank Lampard over who was the best out of the three of them.
The 43-year-old ex-Liverpool midfielder, who is now managing Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, spent the large majority of his club playing career at Anfield.
Speaking in his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson claimed that he didn’t see Lampard as an “elite international footballer” and didn’t consider Gerrard as a “top, top player.”
He wrote in Alex Ferguson: My Autobiography (via The Daily Mirror): “Lampard, for me, was a marvellous servant for Chelsea. But I didn’t think of him as an elite international footballer.
“And I’m one of the few who felt Gerrard was not a top, top player.”
Gerrard’s response to Ferguson’s claim
During his time at Anfield, Gerrard inspired Liverpool to a famous Champions League win in 2005 and lifted three League Cups, a UEFA Cup and two FA Cups.
The former England midfielder went on to briefly play for LA Galaxy before retiring from football, with Gerrard later managing Rangers and Aston Villa.
Following Ferguson’s criticism of him, Gerrard claimed that he wouldn’t “lose any sleep over” the United legend’s comments and said that he was a “fan” of him.
However, the ex-Liverpool star added that he had previously received “unbelievable praise” from Ferguson and how the Scotsman even tried to sign him up.
“Listen, he’s entitled to his opinion. I’m a fan of his; he is one of the best managers in the world,” Gerrard told The Daily Mail in 2013.
“I won’t lose any sleep over it. Throughout my career I have had praise from all types of people — including him — and I am not vain enough to take it all.
“I have had some unbelievable praise from him and he tried to buy me, certainly on one occasion. Maybe even two.”
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