graeme souness made ferguson captain of blackburn in july 2004 and he seemed to be adapting well to premiership football, despite the team still struggling and a managerial change, which saw mark hughes replacing souness. however, after 16 months at the club, including a lengthy period out through injury after fracturing his kneecap in a premiership match against newcastle united, during the january 2005 transfer window, ferguson submitted a written transfer request, admitting that the draw of playing in the premiership and a lancashire derby could not compare with an old firm match, nor could the team's desire to win be matched.