Benitez ice-cold with Alex

17 May 2009 19:11
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez declined to congratulate Sir Alex Ferguson on Manchester United's title triumph. The Red Devils secured their third successive Premier League crown on Saturday to move level with the Anfield outfit's all-time English record of 18 titles. Benitez and Ferguson have rarely seen eye-to-eye this term, with the Spaniard launching an astonishing attack earlier in the season with his presentation of a series of 'facts' relating to United and Ferguson. The Scot responded later in the campaign by accusing Benitez of 'arrogance' and 'contempt' in his dealings with fellow top-flight managers. United overtook the Reds at the top of the table in January and then eased clear to claim the title with a game to spare, despite a brief wobble when they were beaten 4-1 at home by their rivals. Benitez was happy to offer his praise to United but stopped short of saluting his managerial counterpart, with his increasingly bitter feud with Ferguson clearly still a factor. The Spaniard said: "I will say congratulations to Manchester United. They have done well, but I do not want to say too much. "I prefer just to say well done to the club, a big club, a good club. "Normally you have to be polite and respect the other manager. During the season we have seen a lot of things that I didn't like, so that's it. "I say congratulations to United because they have won. And that's it."

Source: SKY_Sports