Sir Alex Ferguson has risked reopening his feud with Rafa Benitez by questioning Liverpool's explanation for the Spaniard's controversial gesture during April's win over Blackburn Rovers.
Ferguson accused Benitez of "arrogance" and showing "contempt" after he made a crossing-arms gesture to his players after Liverpool had scored their second goal. While Liverpool denied that Benitez was signalling the end of the game as a contest, Ferguson remains unconvinced.
"I have never said a word about him [Benitez]," the Manchester United manager told The Observer. "The only time I responded was when he made that gesture with Sam Allardyce.
"There was no doubt he was doing that. Liverpool were too quick to come out and respond that he was signalling they should take a free-kick a different way. That was bollocks. Absolute bollocks."
Your Comments
mgaffney
"felderkirk, That's it your right. We just don't know whats round the corner Football is a strange game. Obviously United can't keep on winning Leagues it has to end sometime. As you said any Arab or Billionaire could take over a club & it could change. Just look at Chelski you never thought they would have won a League always in around the top 5 but Roman comes along & they win 2 League titles. Like Citeh as well they could do the same in a couple of years time & lets face it last year before they took over if you said Citeh would have a shout of winning the League within 10 years even never mind 1 or 2 years, You would have been laughed at."
felderkirk
"Yeah, i can see that happening alright mgaffney. He'd be a hell of a director of footballer (whatever that entails). He might actually be the first director of football who actually directs football! We recently brought Kenny back in to do something similar - similar too to Bobby Charlton's ambassador role at United - but I suppose the bonus of having Ferguson in that role would be that he'd be fresh out of the game (should he immediately move to that position) and he's been successful during the various changes throughout the modern game. I mean, he's won trophies with 4 or 5 different sides within the one club. If, as has been suggested, United get Mourinho involved, it could signal another spell of dominance. Obviously, i hope not - but it could happen. That said, who's to say that f**king Spurs or some sh*t won't be bought by some rich Arab and the power could sway back down south again? To quote the bard, 'the times they are a changin'...'"
mgaffney
"felderkirk, That's it. You can forgive them there stupid comments about refs & about other teams & there supposed hand gestures to signal game over. We don't always agree with what he says or does or who he buys but its hard to be annoyed with a man who has done so much for the FC I support. And I would never call for his head no mater how bad things got. There where some people a few years back when Arsenal/Chelsea where winning Leagues & we went a few years without winning the League & not doing too good in Europe saying he should have quit & United should sack him. they are what we call glory hunters when things are bad they get on his case when things are good its all forgotten & they will come out & say they love him. They f##king annoy the f##k out of me & it gets on my nerves. He will retire himself when he feels the time is right & I think he will probably go upstairs in some capacity when he finally does finish as manager."
felderkirk
"mgaffney - agreed mate. Hats off. Apologies for the heaviness of my remarks - I was just surprised to read your comments given that you're usually a little more realistic than the usual 'fans'. In my own situation, I'm happy enough with Benitez. He gets things wrong occasionally and lands himself in it, but I still can't see anyone else coming in and doing a better job now that he's firmly entrenched himself and his ideas at Anfield. I'd like to think that I'd be able to keep an impartial and objective viewpoint if he had similar success to Ferguson, but you're right - I'm sure it would be difficult. It's all hypothetical. I mean, if he means brings us just ONE Premiership, who knows what we'll let him get away with?! I'll probably back him if he says that black is white!"
mgaffney
"felderkirk, My response to you was just sarcasm. We all know he comes out with ridiculous statements as does Rafa. All I was saying is if we hadn't had him as our manager we wouldn't be as successful. I would rather have a manager that's hated my neutrals & wins everything, than have a manager who's loved by neutrals & wins nothing. We would never have won as much as we have with any other manager. I am dreading the day he retires as would you if he was manager of Liverpool & winning all those trophies that he's won."
felderkirk
"mgaffney - your argument with me was that this doesn't reflect badly on Ferguson. Basically, you seem to believe that a neutral would look at this and think that Ferguson's comments weren't petty, childish, insecure and 3 months late. I personally gladly look forward to anything this tool says in the press because, aside from being generally hilariously insecure, it makes your club look irretrievably stupid. And by extension, the fans who defend it look stupid too. He can do no wrong by your estimation - the same myopic opinion which sadly makes you just another 'fan'.
I'm well aware of how successful Ferguson has been down through the years and I respect him accordingly. It would be ridiculous to ignore what the man has achieved for your club. But he'll never be held in the same affection or respect by the neutrals because of these constantly cringeworthy, primadonna-like soundbites.
Doubtless you're thinking 'f**k the neutrals, he brings trophies', but you know it bothers you that we can see the flaws of the man so obviously and yes - we're all laughing at you.
That said, I fully expect Benitez to put his foot in it with a stupid response of his own now. He has an embarrassing history of it too. What I'm suggesting is that perhaps we could all take eachothers' comments more seriously if we dropped the blind defensiveness and took both managers for what they really are - a couple of blokes who have a tendency to talk some absolutely appalling shi*e at times."
mgaffney
"loverpool, Just getting back to my laptop now. My arguments were not about Fat & Sam & this supposed hand gesture. My point was that all the Liverpool fans are coming on saying where finished & Fergie has lost the plot when in fact you just have to look at what he has done these last few years to realise the fact he has not. "
weepyking
"I was trying to make light UNISTUDENT of comments as too many people on here get into it too mych, sadly this was lost on you. Shame your obvious intellect does not come with anything else like humour."
unistudent
"So let me get this straight weepyking, you were 5 years of age when Mr Ferguson became manager of Manchester United so you admit your 'footbal (sic) knowledge (is) limited' concerning Manchester United in that era, however earlier you mention 'Utd were in a far worse state' than the Liverpool Mr Benitez inherited.
So on the one hand you have made a statement that Mr Ferguson had a bigger task at Manchester United than Mr Benitez at Liverpool, then on the other hand you are admitting you are not sure of the facts (no pun intended) when Mr Ferguson took over as you were too young. So you are a) contradicting yourself or b) clueless.
Anyway, I am outside; wireless internet is a blessing, so I am enjoying the fresh air! Yes, I do know a lot about stuff I comment on, it helps that I have a good memory but I always had this weird thought that you need facts/evidence to have an opinion! Though I think some people on this message board are scared of personal views.
Also, weepyking, I hope you are enjoying the summer too, esp. your 'take it eas' Monday, maybe if you have enough time you can 'go out and enjoy your summer (day) off and make friends etc' too!
"
weepyking
"UNISTUDENT............. I was born, but at 5 years of age when ferguson took over my footbal knowledge was limited to say the least, I did have a jersey though and a sticker book.
What i was trying to say is that you need to get out and enjoy the fresh air. You either know WAY too much about football stats or you are googling them, either way go out and enjoy your summer off and make friends etc. As for what I do, I work, but I see mondays as a 'take it easy' kind of day."
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