Sir Alex Blasts ‘Arrogant’ Rafael Benitez

In the latest round of sparring with the Liverpool boss, ‘Fergie’ has revealed his disgust at ‘Rafa’s’ antics during the Reds’ Premier League fixture against Blackburn Rovers last weekend

anchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was somewhat sidetracked when looking ahead to his side’s FA Cup semi-final fixture against Everton on Sunday. From discussing the merits of the Goodison Park club, he turned his attentions to taking another swipe at Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Meanwhile, David Moyes' good work at Everton continues to get recognition as Ferguson acknowledged that the Toffees are a side built on hard-work and spirit - two commodities that, he feels, should not be underestimated.

Ferguson continued by stating that Moyes has built a team that will one day be destined for silverware success, however, he will be doing all he can to ensure that they have to wait a little longer as his Red Devils square off against Moyes' men on Sunday.

He told United's official website, "My problem for Sunday is that we are facing a very hungry team. David has to win a trophy, and that’s the way he is feeling. I know he is, and this is a big opportunity for him. That’s what we’re facing: a very hungry team, and a very hungry manager. We know what we’re up against.

"Moyes has a young squad that will get better. The young players he has in the team, allied to the ones he has brought in, have a good future. He’s done a great job.

"Moyes has been there for five years now and he has built a good football club. Irrespective of what Rafael Benitez says – he called them a small club – they are a big club. But that just points to [Benitez's] arrogance.

"There’s one thing about the arrogance he has shown. But one thing you can’t forgive is his contempt for [Blackburn Rovers manager] Sam Allardyce last week. When Liverpool scored their second goal against Blackburn; he made a gesture which suggested the game was finished. It was absolute contempt and I don’t think Sam Allardyce deserved it.

"Sam is a guy who has worked so hard for the League Manager’s Association and looked after young players in the game. He didn’t deserve that. He had to play a team that was weakened, and to get that kind of contempt… I don’t think any other Liverpool manager would have done that," he concluded.