Rafael Benitez has launched a scathing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, after the Scot recently suggested that Liverpool - currently top of the Premier League - could choke under pressure and concede their lead.

Last week, Ferguson also accused the Premier League of favouring league leaders Liverpool due to the amount of home games that the Reds faced in the early stages of the season. The moxie Scot therefore suggested that Benitez's men had a distinct advantage as the league table began to take shape.

His comments have clearly gotten under the skin of the Spaniard, who lashed out in a press conference today stating that Ferguson is "the only manager who will not be punished" for verbally abusing referees.

Respect

He told journalists today: "We had a meeting about the 'Respect' campaign and I was very clear - forget about it, because Mr. Ferguson is killing the referees.

"How can you talk about the 'Respect' campaign and yet criticise the referee every single week?

"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they [Manchester United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table."

Benitez then began reading from a prop that he brought with him to the conference.

Mind Games

"I want to talk about facts," he said. "I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start.

"During the 'Respect' campaign - and this is a fact - Mr. Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.

"We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.

"All managers need to know is that only Mr. Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.

"We need to know that I am taking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.

Complaints

"To complain and to always have an advantage is not fair.

"Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything," Benitez said.

"Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage.

"At Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle [United] two days after playing Bolton [Wanderers]. They were playing about 40 hours later, but they were not complaining then.

"If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field, there are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures.

"One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.

"Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr. Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.
"Or there is another option. That Mr. Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."

Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games have played their way into Premier League folklore over the years, with Newcastle United manager becoming the biggest loser after his: "I'll bloody love it," rant led to a relinquishing of an incredible 12 point lead in the 1995-96 season that allowed United to win the title.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com









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you tell him son

this means fergies plan has worked though, when will they learn.


it means benitex has actually took on board comments and is thinking about them

Raffa is the most embarrassing manager we've had over here in a long time.

He never fails to make himself look like a fucktard.

King Raffa = King Kev

Sweet.

Whilst i believe Fergie does influence the referees most of what Benitez said was bollocks and my opinion of him has dropped greatly through this

fergie influences EVERYONE its what he does

smart man, mourinho much the same

Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United destroyed Chelsea on Sunday to the tune of 3-0. There was a particularly sharp focus on the task at hand, with United seemingly inspired by Rafael Benitez's pre-match ranting.

The Liverpool boss had tried to put the pressure onto the Old Trafford side ahead of the game by bringing out the first real title race mind games. After the Blues win, Sir Alex responded to Benitez, calling him "angry and disturbed."

Spanish tactician Benitez has now moved on a little from the initial debate and has opened a new chapter in the fast-escalating feud.

Now, he's pointed his finger at United chief David Gill and his involvement with the Football Association.

The Spaniard is quoted by The Daily Mirror as having stated: "[Man Utd] were saying we are not a threat but now that they know we are they're starting mind games.

"However, I don't think it's a mind game when you have control over everything. It's a mind game when you have the same level as the other people - then you can show you are cleverer than the others.

"But when you have control of everything and your chief executive is powerful in the FA and things like this, then that is not mind games.

"Is there a conflict of interest with David Gill at the FA? That is another fact. It is a fact that one person has a lot of power and control and is on a lot of committees in the FA.

"To me, that is very strange."

Benitez is hinting that his Reds are fighting against impossible odds on all levels. One can't blame him for having his say but it remains to be seen whether, as on Sunday, his words will only fire up his rivals across the remainder of the season.

Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com






seriously, i'm a Liverpool fan but this is taking the piss imo

Rafa Rafa Rafa

He done two things on Friday, he put a helluva lot of pressure on his own team and spurred on United

From someone who really doesn't give a toss about Premiership football, it's about time someone actually stood up to Ferguson. He's got away with too much for too long, he's been trying to influence refs for years and getting away with it (remember when he used to stand on the touchline with a stopwatch?), the whole Ronaldo / Berbatov thing over the summer was an absolute joke. It's good to see another manager finally say what a lot of non-United fans think.