Manchester United tried to sign Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has revealed that he attempted to sign both Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres during his time in charge of Manchester United.

Gerrard was thought to be close to joining Chelsea in 2004, but a reported £20million exit from Liverpool never went through.

But in Ferguson's book, My Autobiography, the Scot admits he also tried to lure Gerrard away from the Reds.

"We made a show for him [Gerrard] in the transfer market, as did Chelsea, because the vibe was that he wanted to move from Anfield, but there seemed to be some restraining influences from people outside the club and it reached a dead end," said Ferguson.

The 71-year-old also revealed that United were closely tracking Torres before he left Atletico Madrid for Merseyside in 2007.

"We watched him [Torres] many times and tried to sign him when he was 16," said Ferguson.

Ferguson claimed that Torres used United's interest to secure an improved contract at Atletico, despite having 'always fancied him' after scouting his progress in numerous youth competitions.

Adapted from Daily Express