Manchester United Football Club News

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

• Ground:Old Trafford
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Fergie slams arrogant Benitez

17 Apr 2009 - 13:42:04

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Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Rafael Benitez of 'arrogance' in the escalating wards of words between the Manchester United and Liverpool managers.

Ferguson used his press conference ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Everton to lambast his Liverpool counterpart following his reaction to a goal his side scored in last weekend's 4-0 rout of Blackburn.

The victory temporarily moved the Reds to the top of the table before United's own 2-1 win at Sunderland later in the day, but Ferguson has upped the ante in the verbal jousting between the pair after slamming Benitez's conduct.

Benitez previously earned the wrath of Everton boss David Moyes for calling the Toffees a "small club" ahead of a Merseyside derby two years ago.

"Everton are a big club, not a small one which Benitez arrogantly said," said Ferguson.

"But arrogance is one thing. You cannot forgive contempt, which is what he showed (Blackburn manager) Sam Allardyce last weekend.

"When Liverpool scored their second goal he signalled as if the game was finished. I do not think Sam deserved that.

"Sam has worked so hard for the LMA (League Managers' Association) and he's had a weakened team. I just thought it showed contempt.

"In my experience no Liverpool manager has ever done that. It was beyond the pale."