Tweet
Buy-buy Rafa: Sir Alex says that Benitez is just a chequebook boss
By JOHN EDWARDS and IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 11:31 PM on 20th March 2009
Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson were at loggerheads again yesterday after the Liverpool manager reacted furiously to taunts about his transfer spending.
Ferguson reignited his war of words with Benitez by inferring his bitter Anfield rival was a chequebook manager and claiming he had comfortably outspent Manchester United over the past five years.
On a day when the Champions League draw set up the possibility of a United-Liverpool final, the Old Trafford boss, reflecting on Benitez signing a new deal, said: ‘You’ll see Rafa produce an incredible spending spree — that’s absolutely certain, now the contract is done. They talk of a recession, but there won’t be one at Liverpool. He’s well ahead of us in spending over the last five years and that will continue. You can expect a big spending splurge at Liverpool. That’s his way.
Taunt: Fergie
Big spender: Benitez
More...
‘I was amazed at what he was saying about transfer money. I talked to people here and said, “Check that out, I’m sure I’ve not spent that much”. Sure enough, Liverpool have spent £24million more than Manchester United over the last five years.’
Benitez attacked Ferguson over his influence on match officials and FA chiefs earlier this year and wasted no time renewing hostilities after being told of his latest remarks.
He said: ‘Maybe some people have better memories than me, but I don’t think so. Just check out the figures. I’ve spent £24m more than him, have I? Check the figures. It does not matter what Ferguson says about money, they have more than us and they can spend more than us.
‘Maybe if we move into a new stadium, we will be in a better position to compete financially. But in the meantime, we have to manage with what we have got, react to
situations quickly and make sure every aspect of every single deal is done to the best of our ability.’
Happier times: Ferguson welcomes Benitez to Old Trafford in October 2006
Ferguson risked further antagonising Benitez by arguing that United have a better record for producing homegrown talent. ‘We’ve signed 18 players in the last five years. Eight of them are young and there’s a balance about doing things correctly. We like to develop our young players, but other clubs may be different. Rafa has a different philosophy from me about producing players, but everyone has a different way of doing things.’
Ferguson had to contend with Jose Mourinho being backed by Roman Abramovich’s fortune at Stamford Bridge, but saw him off after being powerless to prevent Chelsea winning successive titles in 2005 and 2006.
He clearly sees Liverpool as an emerging threat, particularly in the wake of Benitez’s five-year £25m deal, but is ready to keep United ahead of the rest.
‘It’s the same as when we were up against Chelsea a few years ago,’ he said. ‘You wonder what is going to happen and with Chelsea it was fantastic. They won their two
championships very early on. Their starts to the season were always terrific and they gathered together a squad of players who are mostly still there.
Mutual respect: Ferguson and Mourinho
‘We had to address how we could meet their challenge and get back to being No 1.
Now it’s Liverpool. But it doesn’t matter where the challenge is coming from, whether it is Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. We have to look where we’re going. You don’t always
succeed and there were people telling me I’d gone and my shelf life was up when we were trying to rebuild the side four years ago.
‘But you try to be No 1 and that’s what we’ll keep doing.’
Benitez insisted he would remain for all of his five-year agreement, regardless of ownership issues.
It was thought he had sought assurances he could walk away if new owners took over who were not to his liking, but he said: ‘There is no get-out clause and I am 100 per cent committed to this club. Both owners signed the contract and that was important
Ferguson predicts Benitez spree
Ferguson took issue with Benitez over his transfer spending claims
Sir Alex Ferguson expects Rafa Benitez to spend big in the transfer market after signing a new deal at Liverpool.
Manchester United boss Ferguson said of his rival: "I think you will see Rafa producing an absolute spending spree, now he has signed a new contract.
"There's talk about a recession but I don't think there will be one at Liverpool this year."
After protracted negotiations, Benitez agreed a new deal earlier this week which ties him to Liverpool until 2014.
Ferguson also disputed the Spaniard's recent claim that United have massively outspent Liverpool on transfers in recent years.
He said United's own figures showed Liverpool had spent £24m more in overall terms.
"He's well ahead of us in spending in the last five years," Ferguson claimed.
In terms of net spending - taking into account income from sales - the clubs are much the same.
606: DEBATE
I was wondering where this £30m figure for Rafa's 'war chest' came from?
DOMKAT1
Liverpool's net spending over five years on players is £82.5m and United's has been £85.5m. Meanwhile, Chelsea spent £154.8m net on players during that time and Arsenal just £3.4m.
Ferguson claimed his philosophy included developing young players as well as signing stars, while Benitez was more focused on bringing in established players.
He added: "We have signed 18 players in the last five years and eight of those have been young players.
"There's a balance, it's about doing the thing correctly. We like to try to develop young players and we will always do that. That's the nature of the club. "Other clubs are maybe different and obviously Rafa has a different philosophy from mine. "But that's the great thing about football - everyone has a different way of doing things."
By JOHN EDWARDS and IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 11:31 PM on 20th March 2009
Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson were at loggerheads again yesterday after the Liverpool manager reacted furiously to taunts about his transfer spending.
Ferguson reignited his war of words with Benitez by inferring his bitter Anfield rival was a chequebook manager and claiming he had comfortably outspent Manchester United over the past five years.
On a day when the Champions League draw set up the possibility of a United-Liverpool final, the Old Trafford boss, reflecting on Benitez signing a new deal, said: ‘You’ll see Rafa produce an incredible spending spree — that’s absolutely certain, now the contract is done. They talk of a recession, but there won’t be one at Liverpool. He’s well ahead of us in spending over the last five years and that will continue. You can expect a big spending splurge at Liverpool. That’s his way.
Taunt: Fergie Big spender: BenitezMore...
- Man of his word: Barry can leave Villa if he likes, says O'Neill
- Benitez: Liverpool will boot Chelsea out of the Champions League but United are favourites
- Bring on Fulham: Sir Alex insists United are over their Liverpool thumping
- PICTURE SPECIAL: Watch out Cristiano! Tardy Ronaldo leaves United boss fuming on platform as winger almost misses train
- LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB
- MANCHESTER UNITED FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB
‘I was amazed at what he was saying about transfer money. I talked to people here and said, “Check that out, I’m sure I’ve not spent that much”. Sure enough, Liverpool have spent £24million more than Manchester United over the last five years.’
Benitez attacked Ferguson over his influence on match officials and FA chiefs earlier this year and wasted no time renewing hostilities after being told of his latest remarks.
He said: ‘Maybe some people have better memories than me, but I don’t think so. Just check out the figures. I’ve spent £24m more than him, have I? Check the figures. It does not matter what Ferguson says about money, they have more than us and they can spend more than us.
‘Maybe if we move into a new stadium, we will be in a better position to compete financially. But in the meantime, we have to manage with what we have got, react to
situations quickly and make sure every aspect of every single deal is done to the best of our ability.’
Happier times: Ferguson welcomes Benitez to Old Trafford in October 2006Ferguson risked further antagonising Benitez by arguing that United have a better record for producing homegrown talent. ‘We’ve signed 18 players in the last five years. Eight of them are young and there’s a balance about doing things correctly. We like to develop our young players, but other clubs may be different. Rafa has a different philosophy from me about producing players, but everyone has a different way of doing things.’
Ferguson had to contend with Jose Mourinho being backed by Roman Abramovich’s fortune at Stamford Bridge, but saw him off after being powerless to prevent Chelsea winning successive titles in 2005 and 2006.
He clearly sees Liverpool as an emerging threat, particularly in the wake of Benitez’s five-year £25m deal, but is ready to keep United ahead of the rest.
‘It’s the same as when we were up against Chelsea a few years ago,’ he said. ‘You wonder what is going to happen and with Chelsea it was fantastic. They won their two
championships very early on. Their starts to the season were always terrific and they gathered together a squad of players who are mostly still there.
Mutual respect: Ferguson and Mourinho‘We had to address how we could meet their challenge and get back to being No 1.
Now it’s Liverpool. But it doesn’t matter where the challenge is coming from, whether it is Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal. We have to look where we’re going. You don’t always
succeed and there were people telling me I’d gone and my shelf life was up when we were trying to rebuild the side four years ago.
‘But you try to be No 1 and that’s what we’ll keep doing.’
Benitez insisted he would remain for all of his five-year agreement, regardless of ownership issues.
It was thought he had sought assurances he could walk away if new owners took over who were not to his liking, but he said: ‘There is no get-out clause and I am 100 per cent committed to this club. Both owners signed the contract and that was important
Ferguson predicts Benitez spree
Ferguson took issue with Benitez over his transfer spending claimsSir Alex Ferguson expects Rafa Benitez to spend big in the transfer market after signing a new deal at Liverpool.
Manchester United boss Ferguson said of his rival: "I think you will see Rafa producing an absolute spending spree, now he has signed a new contract.
"There's talk about a recession but I don't think there will be one at Liverpool this year."
After protracted negotiations, Benitez agreed a new deal earlier this week which ties him to Liverpool until 2014.
Ferguson also disputed the Spaniard's recent claim that United have massively outspent Liverpool on transfers in recent years.
He said United's own figures showed Liverpool had spent £24m more in overall terms.
"He's well ahead of us in spending in the last five years," Ferguson claimed.
In terms of net spending - taking into account income from sales - the clubs are much the same.
606: DEBATE I was wondering where this £30m figure for Rafa's 'war chest' came from?
DOMKAT1
Liverpool's net spending over five years on players is £82.5m and United's has been £85.5m. Meanwhile, Chelsea spent £154.8m net on players during that time and Arsenal just £3.4m.
Ferguson claimed his philosophy included developing young players as well as signing stars, while Benitez was more focused on bringing in established players.
He added: "We have signed 18 players in the last five years and eight of those have been young players.
"There's a balance, it's about doing the thing correctly. We like to try to develop young players and we will always do that. That's the nature of the club. "Other clubs are maybe different and obviously Rafa has a different philosophy from mine. "But that's the great thing about football - everyone has a different way of doing things."