• Premier League

Fergie aims swipe at Benitez

ESPN staff
November 23, 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson has renewed his rivalry with Rafael Benitez © Getty Images
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has wasted no time in hitting out at old foe and new interim Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez.

Ferguson and Benitez had a heated rivalry during the Spaniard's time in charge at Liverpool, with Benitez claiming Ferguson received lenient treatment from referees, while the Scot questioned his managerial counterpart's state of mind as Liverpool ran United close for the title in 2009.

And Ferguson has now expressed his disappointment at the sacking of Benitez's predecessor Roberto Di Matteo, before having a dig at the "lucky" ex-Inter Milan boss who will take his new Chelsea side to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December.

"Everyone feels for Roberto Di Matteo, and quite rightly,'' Ferguson said. "It is quite amazing when you think that he has won the FA Cup and the Champions League.

"The biggest disappointment for me is that in two weeks' time they are going to the world championship (FIFA Club World Cup). You would have thought they would have waited to give the guy a chance to win it.

"Rafa Benitez is very lucky because on his CV in two weeks' time he could have two world championships to his name - and has had nothing to do with the teams. Jose Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan. He (Benitez) took over and won the world championship without having to do anything and having nothing to do with the construction of the teams.''

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