Sir Alex Ferguson made Roy Keane claim about Steven Gerrard before deciding he was not a 'top, top player'

Sir Alex Ferguson once brought up former Manchester United captain Roy Keane as he spoke about the "technically precocious" Steven Gerrard, more than a decade before deciding he was not a "top, top player".

Gerrard will go down as one of the Premier League's greatest midfielders. He spent 17 years at boyhood club Liverpool, notching 120 goals and 92 assists in 504 league appearances for the Reds.

The midfielder also captained his side to a famous comeback victory in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan – a game that will live long in the memory of Liverpool fans, who still sing his name on a weekly basis.

But despite his contribution at club level, the hard-to-please Sir Alex Ferguson confessed to being "one of the few who felt Gerrard was not a top, top player" as he spoke about the midfielder in his 2013 autobiography.

Shortly after the book was published, Gerrard was asked how he felt about the comment. “I went on trial at Manchester United when I was 13 and had a letter off them wanting to sign me on a seven-year deal," he said during an appearance on the The Clare Balding Show..

"I’m a huge fan of Alex Ferguson and what he’s done in the game is fantastic, that’s the reason why he’s sold that many copies in the first week.

"I was genuinely a little bit gutted when I read that, the reaction of the papers, when he said I’m not a top, top player. But I won’t lose sleep over it, everyone is entitled to their opinion."

Ferguson has, however, expressed his admiration for Gerrard over the years.

Back in December 2000, when Liverpool were preparing to face United at Old Trafford, the Scot mentioned Gerrard in the same breath as Roy Keane, who was widely regarded as one of the Premier League's best midfielders at the time.

"He is physically and technically precocious," said Ferguson of Gerrard. ‘He’s got a good engine and remarkable energy. He reads the game and he passes quickly. I would hate to think Liverpool have someone as good as Roy Keane."

Four years later, Ferguson gave an interview with the Sunday Times about a range of topics, including Gerrard and his admiration for the England international.

"He has become the most influential player in England, bar none," said Ferguson. "More than [Patrick] Vieira. Not that Vieira lacks anything, but I think he does more for his team than Vieira does and has way more to his game.

"I’ve watched him quite a lot. Anyone would love to have him in their team."

Ferguson watches on as United face Liverpool, and Steven Gerrard, at Old Trafford. Image credit: Getty

Gerrard has previously revealed that Ferguson made numerous attempts to bring him to Old Trafford.

"He tried to sign me in early 2002-03, he tried to sign me again to play for United," he said after the comments emerged from Ferguson's autobiography. "I obviously refused, so I can’t really take it to heart too much. But I’m a bit gutted because I’m a big fan of his."