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The mythical Scotsman is aware of the challenge his former team faces when they travel to Anfield on Sunday
Legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson joked that he is glad he retired so he wouldn’t have to face “phenomenal” Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Ferguson guided United to 13 Premier League titles during his illustrious 27-year tenure at Old Trafford, achieving his goal of ‘bringing down Liverpool’ as the most successful club in English football.
United have yet to win the title since the Scotsman retired in 2013, while Liverpool ended a three-decade wait to be crowned English champions last season by finishing at the top of the list, 33 points better than the Reds. Devils.
Liverpool also made it all the way in the Champions League two seasons ago and, ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table showdown between bitter rivals, Ferguson revealed that he is a huge fan of Klopp’s work in recent years.
“I have always considered the Manchester United and Liverpool derby the game of the season,” said Ferguson, speaking in favor of Sports United Against Dementia and the League Managers’ Association charity In The Game.
“Simply put, they are the two most successful teams in Great Britain when you add up all the trophies they have won together.
“Obviously you have to beat Liverpool to win anything. It’s similar to when I was in Aberdeen, you had to beat Rangers and Celtic to win anything and you can add an attitude of mind to that.”
“Actually, it’s the game. Liverpool’s success in the ’70s and’ 80s was phenomenal.
“To do that, I had to take a path that was always going to be difficult, it meant that I had to wait in terms of building the club. In the end, it turned out fantastic for us.”
“Now I have retired, and thank God I have retired when I watch Liverpool perform in the last two seasons, they have been phenomenal. I have great respect for Liverpool, I always have.”
Jordan Henderson wrote his name in Liverpool folklore as he captained the club in their first Premier League win, a year after lifting the Champions League trophy.
Ferguson previously criticized Henderson for his running style, but the 79-year-old has now clarified his previous comments and revealed that United were close to signing the midfielder before he arrived at Anfield in 2011.
“We were ready to make an offer for him,” he said. “There was criticism from Brendan Rodgers about my evaluation of Jordan.
“The real story was that we were ready to bid for him in Sunderland. I spoke with Steve Bruce. Our medical and scouting department said they weren’t happy with his running style.
“They said it could be the type to get injured. I had to make sure the players were always available. But we love Jordan as a player.
“He’s proven it now. All the stories I hear about him tell me that I missed a really good person.”
