Sir Alex was asked to issue an apology over remarks deemed ‘damaging’ about a Liverpool player he had previously turned down.”

Sir Alex Ferguson, known for his relentless pursuit of success, was not someone you’d want to cross during his legendary tenure at Manchester United. However, the iconic Scottish manager was once urged to apologise to Liverpool and England midfielder Jordan Henderson for publicly sharing his reasons for not signing him.

After achieving domestic glory with Aberdeen, Ferguson took the reins at Manchester United in November 1986. Though his early years at Old Trafford were turbulent, he eventually transformed the club into one of the most dominant forces in football history.

With 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies under his belt, Ferguson is widely recognized not only for his tactical acumen but also for his fearless leadership style. Part of that boldness included making tough, sometimes controversial, decisions—like passing on the opportunity to sign a young Jordan Henderson.

Before Henderson left Sunderland for Liverpool in 2011, he had drawn attention from Ferguson and his recruitment staff. Despite his potential, Ferguson decided not to pursue the midfielder after assessing a unique concern regarding his movement.

In his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson explained that he and his scouting team had concerns about Henderson’s running style, stating: “We observed that he runs from his knees, keeping his back straight, unlike modern players who move more from the hips. We feared this might lead to long-term issues.”

These remarks didn’t sit well with then-Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who believed Ferguson owed Henderson an apology for making comments that could have damaged the young player’s confidence. Rodgers, who managed Henderson over 140 times, felt the remarks were inappropriate and possibly harmful.

“Perhaps it was said in passing, but to a young player still finding his feet, it could have had a negative effect,” Rodgers commented. “Every athlete is different, and at this club, we assess each player’s physical profile individually. It just didn’t seem right.”

Despite the controversy, Henderson steadily rose through the ranks at Liverpool, eventually captaining the side to Premier League and Champions League glory. He later reflected on Ferguson’s comments, admitting he wasn’t upset by them.

“I didn’t take it personally,” Henderson told the Liverpool Echo in 2014. “In fact, I took it as a compliment that someone of Sir Alex Ferguson’s stature even mentioned me. Clearly, I must have been doing something right.”

Over the years, Henderson played for three different managers at Liverpool and made nearly 500 appearances for the club. Ironically, Ferguson’s doubts may have played a part in motivating him to become one of the most respected midfielders in the Premier League.