Source: Telegraph
Manchester United v Liverpool: Sir Alex Ferguson has sympathy for Rafa BenÃtez
The two men were embroiled in a lengthy war of words last season following Benitez's infamous 'rant' when he claimed he had a series of facts which proved Ferguson and Manchester United received special treatment from match officials. [LNB]Ferguson responded by claiming that Benítez was 'ridiculous' and 'disturbed' and the pair continued to exchange barbs during the run-in to last season's title race until the League Managers' Association called for an end to the dispute. [LNB] Related ArticlesCharlton: Rooney can handle hypeManchester United v Liverpool: match previewBenitez: Liverpool win 'proves Riera was wrong'Liverpool 3 Lille 0, agg 3-1Giggs keen to erase Liverpool from history booksChampions League drawThe United manager will use his programme notes for this Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford to hand Benítez an olive branch, however. [LNB]With Benitez's future coming under scrutiny at Anfield due to Liverpool's early elimination from the Champions League and struggle to achieve a top four finish this season, Ferguson is understood to have expressed his support for the Spaniard by claiming to understand the pressure he is currently under and the huge expectancy he must live up to on Merseyside. [LNB]Ferguson, who survived similar pressure during his early years at Old Trafford, also tells Benítez that he sympathises with his predicament having endured the same difficulties himself.[LNB]
