Happier times: Ferguson welcomes Benitez to Old
Trafford in October 2006
Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson were at loggerheads
again yesterday after the Liverpool
manager reacted furiously to taunts about his transfer
spending.
Ferguson reignited his war of words with Benitez by inferring
his bitter Anfield rival was a chequebook manager and claiming he
had comfortably outspent Manchester
United over the past five years.
On a day when the Champions League draw set up the possibility
of a United-Liverpool final, the Old Trafford boss, reflecting on
Benitez signing a new deal, said: ‘You’ll see Rafa produce an
incredible spending spree — that’s absolutely certain, now the
contract is done. They talk of a recession, but there won’t be one
at Liverpool. He’s well ahead of us in spending over the last five
years and that will continue. You can expect a big spending splurge
at Liverpool. That’s his way.
Taunt: Fergie ... Big spender: Benitez
‘I was amazed at what he was saying about transfer
money. I talked to people here and said, “Check that out, I’m sure
I’ve not spent that much”. Sure enough, Liverpool have spent
£24million more than Manchester United over the last five
years.’
Benitez attacked Ferguson over his influence on match officials
and FA chiefs earlier this year and wasted no time renewing
hostilities after being told of his latest remarks.
He said: ‘Maybe some people have better memories than me, but I
don’t think so. Just check out the figures. I’ve spent £24m more
than him, have I? Check the figures. It does not matter what
Ferguson says about money, they have more than us and they can
spend more than us.
‘Maybe if we move into a new stadium, we will be in a better
position to compete financially. But in the meantime, we have to
manage with what we have got, react to
situations quickly and make sure every aspect of every single deal
is done to the best of our ability.’
Ferguson risked further antagonising Benitez by arguing that
United have a better record for producing homegrown talent. ‘We’ve
signed 18 players in the last five years. Eight of them are young
and there’s a balance about doing things correctly. We like to
develop our young players, but other clubs may be different. Rafa
has a different philosophy from me about producing players, but
everyone has a different way of doing things.’
Ferguson had to contend with Jose Mourinho being backed by Roman
Abramovich’s fortune at Stamford Bridge, but saw him off after
being powerless to prevent Chelsea winning
successive titles in 2005 and 2006.
Mutual respect: Ferguson and Mourinho
‘We had to address how we could meet their challenge and
get back to being No 1. Now it’s Liverpool. But it doesn’t matter
where the challenge is coming from, whether it is Liverpool,
Chelsea or Arsenal. We
have to look where we’re going. You don’t always succeed and there
were people telling me I’d gone and my shelf life was up when we
were trying to rebuild the side four years ago.
‘But you try to be No 1 and that’s what we’ll keep doing.’
Benitez insisted he would remain for all of his five-year
agreement, regardless of ownership issues.
It was thought he had sought assurances he could walk away if
new owners took over who were not to his liking, but he said:
‘There is no get-out clause and I am 100 per cent committed to this
club. Both owners signed the contract and that was important.’
