Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson: Manchester United v Liverpool is biggest rivalry of all
Sir Alex Ferguson put aside his friendship with Roy Hodgson and warned that Manchester United's bitter rivalry with Liverpool remains as intense as ever. [LNB]The United manager set the stage for Sunday's Old Trafford clash by revealing that he rejected the chance to sign Joe Cole from Chelsea before the England midfielder became Liverpool's big summer signing. [LNB]He also accused former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez of waging a personal war and spending more money on players than United in his six-year reign at Anfield. [LNB] No mercy: Ferguson hopes to make Hodgson suffer[LNB]Ferguson's relationship with Hodgson goes back 23 years, but he insisted it will have no bearing on what he believes is still the biggest game anywhere in English football. [LNB]'It doesn't change what I say time and again when this fixture comes about,' he added. [LNB]BIG-SPENDER BENITEZ In his six seasons at Anfield, Rafa Benitez spent £239.2m on players.[LNB]In the same period, Sir Alex Ferguson's outlay was £176.2m.[LNB]In that time, United won three Premier League titles, three Carling Cups, three Community Shields, one FA Cup and theChampions League. [LNB]Liverpool won the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Community Shield. [LNB]'It is the fixture, no doubt about that. [LNB]'There's always been competition between Liverpool and Manchester. Two great teams, historically the two most successful teams in Britain, that's the kind of fixture it's always going to be. [LNB]'These fixtures fluctuate a little bit. Some periods we've been the dominant team for three, four, five years and then they have a little run. They're very hard to predict, these games.' [LNB]Hodgson revealed that Ferguson's response was decidedly lukewarm when he broke the news to his old friend that he was being appointed Liverpool manager in the summer. [LNB]'I spoke to him and asked, in a jocular way, if we were still going to be on speaking terms,' he said. [LNB]'At least he didn't put the telephone down on me, but there was some cutting remark that I can't quite remember.' [LNB] Thumbs up: Liverpool boss Hodgson is confident his side can spring a surprise at Old Trafford[LNB]Cole became the former Fulham manager's first signing at Liverpool, but Ferguson claimed that United had turned down the chance to sign the midfielder. [LNB]He said: 'We were approached by his agent at one point but we didn't enter into it at all. It was maybe just complicated to get involved in that.' [LNB]Hodgson's arrival at Anfield this summer should signal an improvement in relations between the two clubs following Ferguson's fall-out with Benitez. [LNB]Up for grabs: Ferguson says United were offered Liverpool star Cole this summer[LNB]The United boss admitted on Friday that the Spaniard's spending may have played a part in Liverpool's financial problems. [LNB]'I've never been personal,' said Ferguson. 'You have to examine him (Benitez), not me. [LNB]'I've always enjoyed a good relationship with the Liverpool managers and both clubs have always addressed the situation properly after games. [LNB]'That changed under the last regime, but it's not a big issue for me. In the last regime they spent a lot of money on players, far more than Manchester United did. [LNB]'They had a huge squad of players so I don't know if the financial position is anything to do with it.' [LNB]Ferguson revealed that Antonio Valencia, who was virtually written off for the season after breaking his leg in two places and dislocating his left ankle in the goalless Champions League match against Rangers on Tuesday night, could return sooner than expected after a successful operation and be back in action at the end of February. [LNB]He also confirmed that Nemanja Vidic will be United's captain on a full-time basis, even if England skipper Rio Ferdinand plays alongside him in central defence. [LNB]Ferdinand returned from his latest injury lay-off against Rangers and is ready to face Liverpool. [LNB] Leading the way: Ferguson confirmed Vidic is United's new captain[LNB]But Ferguson said: 'I've explained that situation. Vidic has been given the captain's armband because he has been available all the time.' [LNB]Third-placed United trail leaders Chelsea by four points in the League after last weekend's draw at Everton, but Ferguson believes the champions have benefited from a generous fixture list. [LNB]He said: 'They've certainly had a very easy, early start to the season, there's no doubt about that, and there are big games coming up.' [LNB] Owen Hargreaves is close to playing for Manchester United again after two years out, reveals crock's surgeonGerrard and Torres can fire Liverpool to victory at United, insists HodgsonBebe flops in big day out as striker makes Man United reserves debutMANCHESTER UNITED FC
