10 Liverpool Players Who Nearly Signed for Man United

6. Jordan Henderson

In the immediate nine months of his £20 million arrival from Sunderland in the summer of 2011, Manchester United supporters might have rolled off their seats, with splitting sides and tears of incredulous joy rolling down their cheeks. Toiling in the middle of the park, and lacking a spark, energy and joie-de-vivre to his game, the life-long Mackem looked like another average British player they had been ripped off for. Indeed, while Red Devils' supporters might have taken great mirth in seeing Liverpool's latest expensive acquisition flop on the big stage, there would also be a degree of relief, having become embroiled in a bidding war for the 21 year old midfielder's services. It's two years later, and Manchester United supporters aren't laughing any more. The likes of Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing may have been written off as expensive duds and shipped off to mid-table languishers, but Henderson has been a revelation. Not only has he established himself in the Reds side, but last season he was indispensable, an almost ever-present as they finished second only to Manchester City. Having displaced a certain Michael Carrick from the England midfield, perhaps the Manchester United board should have been more forthright in their efforts to sign the north-east lad three summers ago. Having been accredited with a serious interest in his services since 2010, the £30 million price tag slapped on his forehead by Steve Bruce was enough to stall any potential move, before Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish pounced to seal his signature for two-thirds of the proposed market value. With Manchester United desperately clamouring to woo Arturo Vidal from his luxurious and comfortable lifestyle in Turin, one can't help but feel Henderson would have been a perfect acquisition for the Red Devils.