It’s impossible to picture him in a Man Utd shirt but Fergie was desperate to have him

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed the one Liverpool legend he truly regrets not signing for Manchester United — and to everyone’s surprise, it wasn’t Steven Gerrard. In a candid reflection that once again showed the respect between two of English football’s fiercest rivals, Ferguson admitted that he had always admired Jamie Carragher’s mentality, leadership, and relentless passion for the game. The revelation has sparked memories of the old rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United — a rivalry built on pride, dominance, and the never-ending battle for English football’s crown.

Ferguson, who managed Manchester United for 27 remarkable years, built a dynasty that conquered England and Europe. His tenure was filled with great players — from Eric Cantona to Cristiano Ronaldo, from Roy Keane to Paul Scholes — each a vital piece in United’s unstoppable machine. Yet even with all that success, Ferguson confessed that there were certain players he admired from afar, players who embodied the spirit he demanded from his own squad but who wore the wrong shirt. And one of them, he admitted, was Jamie Carragher — a Liverpool warrior through and through.

When asked about players he wished he could have managed, Ferguson mentioned three names: Tony Adams, Jamie Carragher, and Gianfranco Zola. All of them were legends of the game, respected not only for their talent but for their character. Speaking about Carragher, Ferguson’s admiration was clear. “Those two [Adams and Carragher] are examples of how far you can go in the game when you have the inner determination and desire to be successful,” he said. “You see the careers they had — marvellous.”

That was classic Ferguson — always drawn to players who would give everything for the badge. It wasn’t about fame or flair. It was about hunger, leadership, and heart. Carragher, throughout his 737 appearances for Liverpool, represented exactly that. He wasn’t the fastest or most technically gifted defender, but his understanding of the game, his bravery, and his passion made him one of the finest defenders of his generation.

Ferguson even went a stp further by saying he believes Carragher could make a great manager one day. “He’s also in television, but he’d make a good manager. He’s got the material,” Ferguson said. Coming from a man who built some of the greatest football teams in history, those words carry real weight.

Carragher’s story has always been one of loyalty and commitment. A boy from Bootle who joined Liverpool’s academy at the age of nine, he went on to become the embodiment of Scouse pride. Through highs and lows, through European nights and painful league disappointments, Carragher was always there — shouting, defending, leading. The famous 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, where he played through cramp and exhaustion to help Liverpool lift the trophy, remains one of his greatest moments.

It’s not hard to see why Ferguson admired him. Carragher had the same warrior mentality as the players Ferguson loved — men like Roy Keane, Nemanja Vidic, and Steve Bruce. He was a fighter, and Ferguson always built his teams around fighters. In another life, Carragher could have been one of Ferguson’s generals, leading Manchester United’s backline and inspiring the next generation of players.

But fate had other plans. Carragher remained a Liverpool man until the very end. And it’s that loyalty, that refusal to cross the divide, that made him so loved at Anfield. Even now, years after his retirement, Carragher continues to represent Liverpool’s voice — as a pundit, as a fan, and as a symbol of what it means to play for the badge.

Ferguson’s comments, though made years ago, have resurfaced this week as Liverpool and Manchester United prepare to face each other again at Anfield. It’s a fixture that never loses its fire. Arne Slot’s Liverpool will be desperate to end their recent losing streak, while Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United are searching for back-to-back wins to steady their season. The emotions, the history, and the rivalry all make this match more than just football — it’s about pride, legacy, and identity.

Carragher himself has been part of the build-up, writing in his column for *The Telegraph* about Mohamed Salah’s incredible record against Manchester United. “If there is one club which will fear negative appraisals of Salah’s form more than any, it is this weekend’s visitors to Anfield,” Carragher wrote. “Salah’s record versus United is extraordinary. He has scored 16 times against Liverpool’s historic rivals. No team has suffered more against him.”

Those words carry the same confidence that defined Carragher’s playing days. He understands what Liverpool versus Manchester United means. It’s not just a game; it’s a battle for history. For players and fans alike, these fixtures define careers.

It’s fascinating to imagine how different things might have been if Ferguson had gotten his wish. Picture Carragher in red — not Liverpool red, but Manchester United red — leading a backline alongside Rio Ferdinand, shouting instructions at a young Ronaldo or Rooney, giving Ferguson exactly the kind of defensive commitment he demanded. Would United have been even stronger? Would Carragher have lifted the Premier League title multiple times instead of the Champions League in Istanbul? We’ll never know.

But perhaps that’s what makes this story special. Some rivalries are meant to stay pure. Carragher staying loyal to Liverpool while earning Ferguson’s respect from the opposite side of the divide speaks volumes about both men. Ferguson was never afraid to praise greatness, even if it wore the wrong colours. And Carragher, for all his battles with United over the years, earned the respect of one of the greatest managers in football history.

The admiration between Ferguson and Liverpool’s legends has always been an intriguing undercurrent. Even though the rivalry between the two clubs runs deep — fueled by decades of competition, trophies, and pride — moments like this remind fans that football is also about respect. The game may divide fans, but it also connects great minds who see beyond the colours of a shirt.

As Liverpool and Manchester United prepare for their next clash, the timing of Ferguson’s old revelation feels poetic. The two clubs, forever chasing glory and history, continue their dance — one built on rivalry, passion, and mutual recognition. Ferguson’s respect for Carragher adds another layer to that story — proof that even in war, there’s room for admiration.

And maybe, deep down,that’s the real beauty of football. You can fight, you can hate, you can compete — but you can never ignore greatness. Sir Alex Ferguson, the master of Manchester United, saw greatness in a Liverpool shirt. Jamie Carragher, the heart of Liverpool, earned that respect not through words, but through sweat, tackles, and loyalty.

So when Anfield roars this weekend and the two giants of English football go head-to-head again, remember this — behind all the noise, behind the rivalry, even Sir Alex Ferguson once wished he had a Liverpool man leading his defense. And that alone tells you everything about Jamie Carragher’s place in football history