Ferguson re-ignites Benitez feud

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has branded Rafael Benitez ‘very lucky’ to have been named the new Chelsea manager.

The 70-year-old had public fall-outs with the Spaniard during his tenure as Liverpool manager which including the infamous ‘facts’ rant that Benitez undertook.

And it seems Ferguson has wasted little time in re-igniting that feud as he feels the former Inter Milan manager is lucky to have the opportunity to win a second World Club Championship next month, an opportunity he feels Roberto Di Matteo should have had given his success last season.

“It is quite amazing when you think that he has won the FA Cup and the Champions League,” Ferguson told reporters.

“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.”