Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has joked about signing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Ferguson was asked about trying to sign Gerrard earlier in the midfielder's career.

"Don't ask … it's not a question that," he says with a roguish grin. "Imagine me going to bed having taken Gerrard from Liverpool? Christ Almighty."

The image conjured is of half a city hunting down Sir Alex for abducting their hero. Is it a pity that a player of Gerrard's class has never won the league?

"I don't think it's a pity. Are you joking? Bloody hell."