Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has made his feelings perfectly clear during one encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side during his time at Anfield.
Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson thwarted Rafa Benitez’s ambitions to lead the Reds to the Premier League title in the 2008-09 season.
The Red Devils lifted the Premier League trophy for the third consecutive season, with Ferguson’s men finishing four points clear of Liverpool in the title race.
However, Benitez’s rivalry with United legend Ferguson escalated in the 2008-09 campaign after an infamous press conference in January 2009.
The 64-year-old Spaniard accused Ferguson at the time of “killing the referees” for his verbal confrontations with match officials, with Benitez pulling no punches.
Ferguson had irked Benitez after the 82-year-old Scotsman claimed that the then-league leaders Liverpool could become nervous during the Premier League title run-in.
Benitez on Ferguson and Man Utd
Rafa Benitez appeared on the latest episode of the Stick to Football show alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Ian Wright and Jill Scott.
The former Liverpool boss recalled his experience from the Reds’ 4-1 comeback win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in April 2009.
Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the scoring from the spot-kick before Liverpool rallied back and inflicted a humiliating defeat on Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.
Goals from Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena ensured that Benitez’s men walked away with all three Premier League points amid a close title race at the time.
Speaking on The Overlap, Benitez said: “We went to Old Trafford, and there was a boy with a father, he has a big banner, ‘Rafa is cracking up’ – and we beat Manchester United 1-4. You were cracking up!
“Sir Alex Ferguson was so worried about us that he was using everything he has in his book to create [that pressure environment].
“When we were ahead, you had two games in hand, because you played in the Club World Cup. Then you came back, and you won the games and obviously you were doing well.”
Ferguson had last laugh over Benitez
Despite the 4-1 setback against Liverpool, Ferguson’s men went on to win the Premier League title after a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at Old Trafford in May 2009.
Before the Arsenal win, however, the Red Devils had also snatched a crucial three points in the title race against Aston Villa in April.
Federico Macheda came off the bench and scored a sensational late winner on his debut to secure a 3-2 win for United at Old Trafford.
Benitez reiterated that Liverpool were “not cracking up” in the title race, despite missing out on the trophy to Ferguson’s side.
“Cracking up, I was joking, because [in] the last 11 games we drew one against Arsenal 4-4 at home, and we won 10,” he continued.
“So, we were not cracking up – you had extra time, and then you play seven minutes extra and you score against Aston Villa with [Federico] Macheda.”
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