[forexsoft]

Ferguson hits back in Benitez row
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has branded Rafael Benitez's recent comments as "ridiculous".
Liverpool's boss claimed Ferguson goes unpunished for criticising referees and even suggested United are a "bit scared" of the Premier League leaders.
"There was a lot of venom in what he has said," responded Ferguson. "I don't understand where it has come from.
"When he reflects on it he must realise what he is saying is ridiculous. He is obviously disturbed about something."
Ferguson refused to discuss Benitez's comments in too much detail, preferring instead to bask in his side's 3-0 win over Chelsea.
Following Sunday's impressive win at Old Trafford, third-placed United have closed the gap on Liverpool to five points, with two games in hand.
Benitez launched his attack on Ferguson during an extraordinary four-minute monologue in a news conference on Friday and also said he believed the Scot was nervous because Liverpool are top of the league.
"We had a Respect campaign meeting and I said forget it because Mr Ferguson is 'killing' the referees," said the Spaniard.
He added that Ferguson is "the only manager who will not be punished" for verbally attacking referees and also claimed that Ferguson and his United support staff intimidate match officials.


An unrepentant Benitez launched a fresh attack on Ferguson following Liverpool's 0-0 draw at Stoke on Saturday, suggesting the United boss may be "a little bit scared" of the Merseyside club's title challenge. "In 20 years, nobody could say these things but maybe they think the same as me," stated Benitez. "I don't regret it."
His actions, seemingly triggered by Ferguson's assertion that nerves may affect Liverpool's title challenge, have provoked huge debate, while the Football Association is set to review Benitez's comments before deciding whether to take any action against him.
But the Liverpool manager claims he has received plenty of support.
"I can guarantee a lot of people have sent a lot of messages, not to me but to our staff and a lot of people in Liverpool," he revealed.
"It is one person saying what everyone wants to say but I was not thinking about what people think, I was thinking about my club and Mr Ferguson's comments on Liverpool this season. You can understand why."
When asked if he thought Ferguson was nervous, Benitez replied: "Clearly. Maybe he is a little bit scared.
"He is talking too much about Liverpool. He has to think about his own team, the problems they have and all the things they are doing."

Story from BBC SPORT:

I fucking hate Fergie but he knows how to play the mind games and this one is working for him too after this weekend. Other managers fall for it hook, line and sinker. They need to just ignore his shit and get on with sorting out their own team.

[yasalaioqe]

They played his little monologue from Friday prior to the Stoke game and I thought it was methodical and calm. The commentators kind of made it out as though he was flipping out, but if that's him flipping out he must be one hell of a calm guy. I don't completely know the history there, but you get a little of that in sports here. Certain coaches/players seem to be above the rules and it's not right.

Btw...that game was horrible to watch.

[Grorointeri]

benitez taking fergie on at mind games is rediculous........i remember the gibbering wreck he made out of kevin keegan

[Fvmfrctt]

It was likely all true what he said about Fergie. And yes, he wasn't ranting that's for sure....he was no Keegan!!

But Man U will not finish behind Liverpool this season, so whether Rafa is right or wrong, Fergies supporters will see it as yet another example of him winning some kind of mind games when in truth he just has a better football team

[forexsoft]

It was true what he said but he only came out with it after Fergie mocked him and said that Liverpool wouldn't even finish second, it's between Man Utd and Chelsea. As I said, Fergie is a complete cunt but his mind games work and its pointless taking them on, best message to give out is a dignified silence.

[Licacivelip]

It's all bollocks. He points to seperate incidents to which he states as facts, when in fact they are complete bollocks. Fergie has been punished in the past for having a go at Referees, and our players have been fined for having a go at the referee and linesman.

And his latest rant concerns David Gill having a role at the FA as well as being our chief executive, moaning at that. Perhaps concerned that the 'facts' he states can be interlinked with this (Getting us off punishments easily etc)

Well Rafa, David Dein had the same thing going on while he was at Arsenal. Nothing was said then.

I think he's cracking up personally, and when we win another Title at the end of the season (which we will) he will quit. Pressures got too much for him.

Me? I'd throw the book at him.