Source: Telegraph
Liverpool v Manchester United: Sir Alex Ferguson's animosity began at Aberdeen
"He's obviously a very angry man, and he has clearly been disturbed by something or other," said Ferguson when he dismissed Benítez's list of facts, which the Liverpool manager had claimed proved United received preferential treatment from referees and officials.
The feud, of course, continues to simmer, each sniping at the other as and when they can. Such is life, perhaps, for the managers of English football's two greatest, fiercest rivals. Certainly, Ferguson reserved a special place in his heart for Liverpool long before Benítez came along. Long before United came calling, even.
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His apparent dislike for all things Anfield is thought to date back to the excoriation of his Aberdeen side in the European Cup in 1980, and became apparent when he stated his ambition to "knock Liverpool off their ------- perch".
But the story of his relationship with Liverpool is, as is always the case with Ferguson, more complex.
He feuded with Kenny Dalglish, of course, relations between the two Scots being best described as "frosty", though it was Ferguson who was the first to get in touch after the horrors of Hillsborough and who Dalglish suggested should write the foreword to his book. The same Ferguson whom Dalglish informed in the Anfield dressing room that he made less sense than his daughter during a TV interview.
That was a relationship far more complicated than those he enjoyed with previous managers Roy Evans or Gerard Houllier. "He would make controversial comments now and again, as he does, but it was nothing personal," says Evans.
"The worst thing you can do is rise to them. If he is out of order, you have to defend your team, but it is best to ignore them.
"He got in touch when I packed it in and we are in touch these days too. Sir Alex would do anything he could to help Manchester United win during the game, but afterwards there was always a handshake, then a drink in his office." Evidence, Evans believes, that Ferguson "only does it when he is threatened, to get every advantage possible".
Evans does himself a disservice. He, like Houllier, did provide a genuine, if fleeting, threat to United, and yet neither relationship plumbed the depths of his feud with Benítez. Perhaps, after 23 years, it has become personal.
Boo-boys’ biggest targets...
MICHAEL OWEN: The striker is facing a hostile reception at Anfield on Sunday when he returns to Liverpool as a Manchester United player for the first time. Having signed to play for Liverpool’s most bitter rivals, Owen can expect to join football’s infamous boo-boy club.
PAUL INCE: Having posed in a Manchester United shirt before leaving West Ham for Old Trafford in 1989, Ince was subjected to vicious abuse and taunts whenever he returned to Upton Park.
SOL CAMPBELL: The big defender enraged Tottenham fans by running down his contract at White Hart Lane before signing for Arsenal. He was then subjected to abuse in games against Spurs.
NICK BARMBY: Labelled 'Judas Barmby’ by Everton fans after leaving Goodison to sign for boyhood heroes Liverpool in 2000, the former England midfielder continues to be jeered mercilessly when he returns to Everton with Hull.
CARLOS TÉVEZ: One minute the Manchester United fans were chanting, “Fergie, Fergie, sign him up!”, the next they were booing the Argentine’s every touch following his return to Old Trafford as a Manchester City player.
ERIC CANTONA: Idolised at Leeds for helping the club win the 1992 League title, Cantona was then loathed at Elland Road for signing for Manchester United in November 1992.
WAYNE ROONEY: Having scrawled “Once a Blue, always a Blue” on a T-shirt as a teenager, Rooney is regularly reminded of his boast whenever he returns to Everton with Manchester United.
CHEERS NOT JEERS
ROBBIE FOWLER: Nicknamed 'God’ by Liverpool fans, Fowler continued to earn a rapturous reception at Anfield whenever he returned with Leeds and Manchester City prior to his return to Liverpool in 2006.
Mark Ogden
