Rafael Benitez Sensationally Blasts Sir Alex Ferguson & Manchester United

Rafael Benitez has launched a scathing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, after the Scot recently suggested that Liverpool - currently top of the Premier League - could choke under pressure and concede their lead.

Last week, Ferguson also accused the Premier League of favouring league leaders Liverpool due to the amount of home games that the Reds faced in the early stages of the season. The moxie Scot therefore suggested that Benitez's men had a distinct advantage as the league table began to take shape.

His comments have clearly gotten under the skin of the Spaniard, who lashed out in a press conference today stating that Ferguson is "the only manager who will not be punished" for verbally abusing referees.

Respect

He told journalists today: "We had a meeting about the 'Respect' campaign and I was very clear - forget about it, because Mr. Ferguson is killing the referees.

"How can you talk about the 'Respect' campaign and yet criticise the referee every single week?

"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they [Manchester United] are nervous because we are at the top of the table."

Benitez then began reading from a prop that he brought with him to the conference.

Mind Games

"I want to talk about facts," he said. "I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start.

"During the 'Respect' campaign - and this is a fact - Mr. Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett.

"He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things.

"We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking.

"All managers need to know is that only Mr. Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens.

"We need to know that I am taking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week.

Complaints

"To complain and to always have an advantage is not fair.

"Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything," Benitez said.

"Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage.

"At Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle [United] two days after playing Bolton [Wanderers]. They were playing about 40 hours later, but they were not complaining then.

"If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field, there are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures.

"One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know.

"Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr. Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United.

"Or there is another option. That Mr. Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."

Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games have played their way into Premier League folklore over the years, with Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan becoming the biggest loser after his: "I'll bloody love it," rant led to a relinquishing of an incredible 12 point lead in the 1995-96 season that allowed United to win the title.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com