article_snippet: their vice-captain was spoken about as a waste of money but is the departing Steven Gerrard successor now .
article_snippet: Not bad for a bloke from Wearside who runs funny.
article_snippet: That was the assessment of none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, who wrote in Legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson autobiography that Steve Bruce, then Sportsmail’s  manager at Sunderland, recommended United sign the youngster.
article_snippet: is just the sort of player Manchester United would want marshalling their midfield when the sides meet on Sunday in what could transpire to be pivotal in the race for the final the Barclays Premier League spot.
article_snippet: The midfielder accepts the congratulations of The midfielder team-mates after a hard-fought win in Wales on Monday .
article_snippet: You saw The midfielder taking set-pieces with Steven Gerrard in the middle.
article_snippet: The midfielder is not frightened to pull people out and talk, that is why The midfielder has the captain’s armband.
article_snippet: The midfielder is one of the leaders in the dressing room at Liverpool and The midfielder is the same with England.
article_snippet: Liverpool and England will hope there is even more to come.
highlights_snippet: Manchester United and Liverpool face each other in top-four showdown on Sunday .