Rafa re-ignites Fergie feud - Liverpool boss Benitez refuses to congratulate Uniteds champion chief

Published: 17 May 2009 - 17:52:23

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Rafa re-ignites Fergie feud - Liverpool boss Benitez refuses to congratulate Uniteds champion chief

Rafael Benitez declined to congratulate Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for his side's title triumph as the pair's simmering feud continued. Benitez had seen his side beat West Brom 2-0, and send them back to the Coca-Cola Championship, but was twice given the opportunity at the post-match press conference to congratulate Ferguson on winning the title. Each time he made it clear that he was only prepared to congratulate the Old Trafford club as a whole. United won their 18th crown yesterday, equalling Liverpool's record, and 24 hours later the Anfield men all but secured runners-up spot at The Hawthorns. And not only did Benitez have to contend with questioning about his feelings towards Ferguson, he also had to comment on an amazing on-field bust up between Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa. The pair exchanged views and pushes until they were pulled apart by colleagues and then given a dressing down by referee Martin Atkinson before a hand-shake. But it was Benitez's attitude to Ferguson that surprised many. During the season Benitez and Ferguson have traded barbed comments at regular intervals. And the Spaniard said: "I will say congratulations to Manchester United. They have done well, but I do not want to say too much. "I prefer just to say well done to the club, a big club, a good club. "Normally you have to be polite and respect the other manager. During the season we have seen a lot of things that I didn't like, so that's it.