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Winding up Rafa
Manchester United v Liverpool: Sir Alex Ferguson fans the flames
Sir Alex Ferguson has done little to defuse his personal feud with Rafael Benítez ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford, saying: “Rafa doesn’t have relationships with anybody.”
By Oliver Brown
Published: 11:00PM GMT 20 Mar 2010
Contentious: Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that te deby with City is now bigger Photo: ACTION IMAGES
He also increased the tension for Sunday’s match at Old Trafford by stressing the “hatred” between the two clubs – while mischievously suggesting that games against Liverpool may not constitute United’s “biggest derby” anymore.
Ferguson had been asked whether his relationship with Benítez had improved since last January, when he accused the Spaniard of being “disturbed” for the notorious “that’s a fact” diatribe against United, and suggested that there was still almost no personal contact with the Liverpool manager.
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The tension at Old Trafford is sharpened by United’s pursuit of the 19th league title that would pull them clear of Liverpool’s record 18. But Ferguson, chasing his 12th championship and his fourth in succession, argued that he did not count his titles and was far more interested in creating a lasting dynasty.
“It’s a hell of a haul,” he said. “But we have to try to be better than that. It’s not a matter of trying to overtake Liverpool, it’s about trying to win extra titles.
“How you replace Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville is very difficult. But players like Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney can carry on the tradition of how you win trophies here. Knowing how to win it is sometimes better than having the ability to win it.
“I don’t count up all the cup finals I’ve been in, and it’s the same with the league. It’s such a tribal league we’re involved in, with the rivalries. It’s hard to match a Liverpool versus United match in terms of the intensity, the crowd.
"There’s a hatred there. I’ve always looked on this as the biggest derby of the season, even though that has changed, with Manchester City having thrown down the gauntlet in a different way.”
Ferguson is expected to avoid punishment from the Football Association after describing it as “crazy” and “dysfunctional” for not banning Steven Gerrard for today’s game.
The United manager had suggested that Gerrard should have been banned for four games for elbowing Portsmouth’s Michael Brown, as Rio Ferdinand was for a similar incident this season.
Meanwhile, after another “emotional” week at Anfield with players speaking out about the ambition of the club, Javier Mascherano has announced he is happy to stay at Liverpool (on a £100,000-a-week four-year deal) – but he is waiting for someone at Anfield to speak to him.
“They know what I want — it depends on them and not me,” he said.
Manchester United v Liverpool: Sir Alex Ferguson fans the flames
Sir Alex Ferguson has done little to defuse his personal feud with Rafael Benítez ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford, saying: “Rafa doesn’t have relationships with anybody.”
By Oliver Brown
Published: 11:00PM GMT 20 Mar 2010
Contentious: Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that te deby with City is now bigger Photo: ACTION IMAGES He also increased the tension for Sunday’s match at Old Trafford by stressing the “hatred” between the two clubs – while mischievously suggesting that games against Liverpool may not constitute United’s “biggest derby” anymore.
Ferguson had been asked whether his relationship with Benítez had improved since last January, when he accused the Spaniard of being “disturbed” for the notorious “that’s a fact” diatribe against United, and suggested that there was still almost no personal contact with the Liverpool manager.
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The tension at Old Trafford is sharpened by United’s pursuit of the 19th league title that would pull them clear of Liverpool’s record 18. But Ferguson, chasing his 12th championship and his fourth in succession, argued that he did not count his titles and was far more interested in creating a lasting dynasty.
“It’s a hell of a haul,” he said. “But we have to try to be better than that. It’s not a matter of trying to overtake Liverpool, it’s about trying to win extra titles.
“How you replace Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville is very difficult. But players like Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney can carry on the tradition of how you win trophies here. Knowing how to win it is sometimes better than having the ability to win it.
“I don’t count up all the cup finals I’ve been in, and it’s the same with the league. It’s such a tribal league we’re involved in, with the rivalries. It’s hard to match a Liverpool versus United match in terms of the intensity, the crowd.
"There’s a hatred there. I’ve always looked on this as the biggest derby of the season, even though that has changed, with Manchester City having thrown down the gauntlet in a different way.”
Ferguson is expected to avoid punishment from the Football Association after describing it as “crazy” and “dysfunctional” for not banning Steven Gerrard for today’s game.
The United manager had suggested that Gerrard should have been banned for four games for elbowing Portsmouth’s Michael Brown, as Rio Ferdinand was for a similar incident this season.
Meanwhile, after another “emotional” week at Anfield with players speaking out about the ambition of the club, Javier Mascherano has announced he is happy to stay at Liverpool (on a £100,000-a-week four-year deal) – but he is waiting for someone at Anfield to speak to him.
“They know what I want — it depends on them and not me,” he said.