“I Couldn’t Believe It” – The Man Utd Signing That Intimidated Steven Gerrard
Reuters / Carl Recine
Manchester United have had their most flashiest transfer window this season, and were not shy to splash the cash for some big names. Rival fans were very much intimidated by the Red Devils’ spending spree, but there is one signing that managed to intimidate even Steven Gerrard.
Boss Jose Mourinho managed to bring in Victor Lindelöf, Romelu Lukaku, and Nemanja Matic from Benfica, Everton, and Chelsea respectively. The total sum was reported to be around £170 million plus add-ons for the trio, recording a new spending total in a single transfer window for the Mancunians.
The Portuguese was aiming to build a squad to be reckoned with following last season’s mediocre run in the Premier League. And that is exactly what Mourinho did along with his new signings, as they have successfully managed to strengthen the squad so well, that they are yet to taste defeat so far this season.
However, it seems like Gerard had a premonition of what was to come, as he admitted he did not like the idea of Matic playing for the Red Devils when he first heard about the negotiations. The former Liverpool skipper was admittedly hoping the transfer rumour was, well, a rumour.
Reuters/Andrew Boyers
“I couldn’t believe it,” said the Englishman, as per M.E.N. “I think out of all the Manchester United players I’ve seen them sign over the last couple of years, he’s the one I thought ‘Oh no, I hope not.’
“I was so very disappointed about that as a Liverpool fan. He was one of the toughest opponents I played against. He is very leggy, he’s good in the air, he competes, he always gets a toe in. He can run, he’s very aggressive with the ball and without the ball, he can burst past you with it and he can catch you.”
As the BT Sport pundit intuitively thought back then, the Serbian’s arrival at Old Trafford has only spelled good news. The former Blues midfielder managed to offer struggling Paul Pogba some much-needed freedom and security whilst going forward, helping the Frenchman to get back to his very best.
Written by Ashish Sreejith 
Have had two addictions in life- playing football and watching football. Usually described as introverted but not when it comes to speaking and writing about the beautiful game of football.