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Topics: Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Arsenal, Liverpool, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, Football, Premier League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Arsenal, Liverpool, Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United, Football, Premier League
Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had zero doubts when choosing who he believed to be the most influential player out of Steven Gerrard and Patrick Vieira.
Ferguson managed United between 1986 and 2013, with his stint in charge overlapping with Gerrard and Vieira's prime years as star midfielders at Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
He was involved in direct title battles with both teams, always emerging on top against Liverpool but often falling short against Arsene Wenger and Arsenal.
Both players had different midfield profiles, with Vieira a dominating, tough-tackling, box-to-box presence while Gerrard combined his own engine and passing ability with being more effective in the final third.
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But what both players definitely had in common was that they were two of the greatest leaders the Premier League has ever seen.
And when asked to name which of the pair was more influential on their side, Ferguson had a clear answer.
Speaking in 2004, the Scot said: "Gerrard has become the most influential player in England, bar none.
"More than 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 did attempt to sign Gerrard in that same year, when there were rumours over his future at Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho wanted to bring him to Chelsea upon being appointed manager, and Gerrard would eventually inform the club that he wanted to leave a year later before then committing his future to Anfield.
Speaking on The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast, United legend Gary Neville explained that Ferguson asked him to convince Gerrard about a move to Old Trafford during a 2004 training camp.
"He was close to going to Chelsea," Neville began. "And Sir Alex rang me and said he was anxious.
"I think his words were, 'Tell him I'll fetch him and take him back down the East Lancs and bring him back'.
"I went to see Stevie, and he was quite categoric quite quickly. He said, 'Seriously, I wouldn't get out of Liverpool and my family would never get out of Liverpool'."