Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Jordan Henderson, admitting he bemoans not bringing him to Old Trafford.

Henderson signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2011, but United had shown an interest previously.

Ferguson turned down the move because of the 30-year-old’s awkward running style, however, with the club’s medics believing it could lead to injuries.

Speaking on ‘A Team Talk With Legends’ on Friday night, in aid of Sport United Against Dementia [via the Metro], Ferguson praised the Liverpool captain, admitting he missed a trick with him:

I spoke to Steve Bruce and he loved the guy.

And then our medical department said they were not happy with his running style – he could be the type to have injuries.

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.

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Despite everything he has achieved, Henderson is still not necessarily universally rated, which is baffling. The fact that both Ferguson and Jurgen Klopp rate him highly speaks for itself, though, and he has forged a wonderful career.

So much of what Henderson does goes unnoticed, from his off-the-ball work to his leadership behind the scenes, but he has been one of the most important figures of the Klopp era at Liverpool.

Ferguson didn’t make many mistakes as United boss, but not signing Henderson is one of them.

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