Riled Rafa losing duel with Fergie
First came Arsene Wenger; then Jose Mourinho. Now Rafael Benitez seems to be the object of Sir Alex Ferguson's attention.
The two managers have traded verbal blows almost as much as their sides have traded places at the top of the Premier League, as Ferguson has labelled his rival "arrogant" and "disturbed".
Benitez has bitten back by claiming his Old Trafford counterpart is fearful of the threat from Anfield and is becoming fixated with his opponents – rather than concentrating on his own side.
However, Liverpool, currently three points behind the reigning champions having contested a game more, are playing second fiddle to Manchester United in the battle for the 2008-09 title.
Ronnie Whelan, the former Liverpool stalwart, believes their boss is also coming off second best in the recent war of words.
"People ask who will win that little war between them," begins Whelan in an exclusive interview with Emirates Business. "The one who'll win it is the one who wins trophies and Fergie's already got two this year, so at the moment he's in front.
"He's in the semi-final of the Champions League; he's three points ahead in the league, so Fergie's definitely ahead at present. But the argument's got a bit silly now. People have been taking the mickey, the two managers then feel they have to retaliate and it's gone too far. It should be knocked on the head."
While Whelan wants his old club to win their 19th league title – United will equal the Reds' record 18 if they triumph this season – he feels Benitez has to prove himself in the transfer market this summer after a series of misjudgments in the past.
The Spaniard has spent £212.6 million (Dh1.142 billion) on transfers since arriving on Merseyside in June 2004, while his net spend stands at £111.39m.
Big name signings such as Robbie Keane (£21m) – now returned to Tottenham – Ryan Babel (£11.5m) and Lucas Leiva (£6m) have failed to live up to their billing, yet Benitez has a reported £30m kitty to delve into again this summer.
"Some of his signings haven't been the best as he'll only keep about five or six of them," explains Whelan, who made 494 appearances for the Anfield club. "Benitez has made 69 signings in five years, which is a hell of a lot.
"Maybe he's bringing people in to see exactly what he needs, but I'd rather see him buy better players. He got rid of John Arne-Riise for £4m and then signed Andrea Dossena for £7m, who's a worse player in my opinion.
"Now that's not good business, so he's got a bit to learn," adds the Irishman.
Whether Whelan's opinion of the manager is correct, Benitez was awarded with a new, five-year contract by his bosses at Liverpool in March. Having a somewhat tenuous relationship with Rick Parry, the outgoing chief executive, the talented tactician seems to have won the boardroom battle at the club.
"He's a very, very clever man," says Whelan. "There was all this talk of the owners bringing in a new manager, but he's got the new contract and he will probably have carte blanche on the transfers, so Benitez has got what he wants.
"Hopefully he can now show his worth by going on to win the league."
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