HILARIOUS!

United's former chief scout Les Kershaw, now the club's academy director, on how he failed to recommed Thierry Henry:

"It's a classic. Thierry Henry! I saw him play for Monaco several times and, although he had phenomenal pace, he looked raw. But I now think he's a wonderful player."

Another of Ferguson's scouts criticised Henry for an "appalling" first touch.

In 172 appearances for Arsenal Henry has scored 95 times.


All the papers go with the Ruud vs Henry line ahead of tomorrow's game.

Rio Ferdinand:

"If Thierry and Ruud were a double act, you would have the perfect combination. They are both outstanding players."

Denis Law:

"He is one of the best in world football, never mind English football. I remember seeing him a few years ago when he played in France and I thought then that he was a player United should have been looking at.

"When I saw Henry all those years ago, I just thought that he looked so confident on the ball and a really elegant type of player. He was playing as a winger at the time, but, as we all know now, he can come inside and score goals from anywhere. Of all the people who were playing that night, he looked the most likely to score a goal, even though he was playing out on the wing.

"He just looked an extremely dangerous player. He could head it as well and I just thought that he looked an excellent player.

"In the list of the great United centre-forwards, Van Nistelrooy would be up there near the top. He still has a long-time to go and plenty more to do, but I would say he is better than I was."

Denis Bergkamp:

"Ruud's work-rate is amazing for a striker. That can add a huge amount to a team. His touch is awesome and obviously his finishing is amazing also.

"Inside and outside the box, with both feet and his head, Ruud is deadly. His scoring rate down the years shows that."

Teddy Sheringham:

"You can't compare the two or say who's better. But what I would say is that if you paired those two it would be an incredible partnership. They could play together because out-and-out goalscorers normally get in each other's way.

"But Henry likes to move in the channels while Ruud stays more central, so I'm sure it could work. But it would take a few quid to get them together!"

"Henry is immense. He's got incredible pace and it just seems he has different gears and when he gets into that third gear it's just end of story for anyone chasing him.

"His pace scares defenders and I just wish I'd had half of it. But it's not just about pace, he's got great skill.

"Van Nistelrooy is a different player again. He plays on the shoulders of defenders and he's an out-and-out goalscorer.

"He is a great predator and will take any chance, no matter where or how on the pitch. He's the best of his type and that also goes for Henry, so it's just impossible to compare them."

Henry is supposedly out of contract come the summer. A poss target for United anyone?