Manchester United FC

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• Manager:Sir Alex Ferguson

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Fergie turns up Reds heat

11 Jan 2009 - 11:48:08

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Sir Alex Ferguson has responded to Rafael Benitez's criticism by claiming he considers Chelsea to be Manchester United's main title rivals.

Liverpool boss Benitez launched an angry and impassioned verbal attack on his United counterpart in the build-up to his side's goalless draw with Stoke City on Saturday evening.

The Spaniard was unhappy with Ferguson complaining about his club's fixture list and also felt that the Scot has failed to take on board the FA's Respect campaign.

Ferguson had also suggested that Liverpool would struggle to cope with the pressure of leading the Premier League, having not won the title in almost two decades.

And now the veteran Scot has responded to Benitez's outburst by suggesting Chelsea are his side's main title rivals despite Liverpool holding a four-point lead over the Blues at the top of the table.

"I'm of the opinion that it normally goes down to two teams, in the last month anyway," he told the Sunday Times.

"Liverpool have had a good start and it's given them more confidence and there's more expectation on them now.

"They're talking about winning the league, the supporters are talking about it and the players are talking about it so that makes a change.

"But they've not been able to talk about it for at least a good few years.

"Chelsea have experience and have been our main rivals for the last five years."