Manchester United Football Club News

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68,174

Fergie hits back at Benitez

24 Aug 2007 - 12:03:56

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Sir Alex Ferguson has responded to Rafael Benitez's swipe at Manchester United over the Gabriel Heinze transfer saga by accusing the Liverpool boss of being "churlish".

Benitez launched a scathing attack on United and the Premier League after an arbitration panel blocked Heinze's desire to move from Old Trafford to Anfield earlier in the week.

The Spaniard questioned the panel's decision not to allow Heinze to join his club before slamming the league for perceived fixture congestion.

But Ferguson has now hit back at Benitez and suggested United will launch an inquiry into Liverpool's role in the whole saga.

Heinze, who has now joined Real Madrid, claimed he had been given written permission by the Red Devils to leave should a club match their £6.8million valuation.

However, United refused to sanction the sale of the Argentina international to their bitter Premier League rivals.

"It is disappointing stuff," said Ferguson. "He talks about the fixtures. He should have seen our fixtures over the last two or three seasons.

"There was never any chance of Liverpool winning that case, so Rafa clearly did not read the Premier League rules. It is just churlish.

"We are looking at Liverpool's whole role in this. We are not letting them off with it. That is what we are investigating."