FERGIE FANS FLAMES OF BENITEZ ROW

FERGIE FANS FLAMES OF BENITEZ ROW

Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Rafael Benitez to start doing something better with his spare time.

The Manchester United boss has finally reacted to Benitez's repeated attacks, accusing the Spaniard of 'arrogance' and treating old friend Sam Allardyce with contempt.

Ferguson has not forgotten the so-called 'facts' Benitez reeled off in a pre-planned post-Christmas attack.

And the Scot feels Benitez should start doing something more productive with his time.

"I don't know what he does in his spare time but he is certainly not using it in the right way," said Ferguson.

"He has put himself in a powerful position at Liverpool.

"He wants control of all the transfers. The reason, I don't know. But it's the last thing I'd want."

However, it is not the internal politics at Anfield that concern Ferguson.

It is Benitez's general behaviour and dealings with fellow Premier League managers.

And, after causing irritation with his dismissal of David Moyes' work at Everton, who tackle United in the FA Cup at Wembley tomorrow, Benitez went a step too far with his reaction to Liverpool's second goal against an injury-ravaged Blackburn at Anfield on Sunday.

Under the circumstances, Ferguson felt Benitez's reaction, a wave of the arms to signal the game was over, was unwarranted and unacceptable.

"Benitez said Everton are a small club, which just points to his arrogance," said Ferguson.

"But it is one thing to show the arrogance he did. What you cannot forgive is the contempt for Sam Allardyce last week when Liverpool scored the second goal.

"I don't think Sam deserved that.

"He is a guy who has worked so hard for the LMA (League Managers' Association), looking after young players.

"He had a weakened team and to get that kind of contempt....I don't think any other Liverpool manager would have done that. It was beyond the pale.

"I am surprised no-one picked up on it. You would never get me doing something like that. You should respect managers.

"At times you have to have humility."

Not that Ferguson has too much time to think about Benitez as he plots a way past Everton in the FA Cup semi-final.

It could be a much-changed Red Devils line-up at Wembley too given the enormous effort expended in Porto on Wednesday, raising the possibility of Wayne Rooney not getting to face his former club, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick among those who could also miss out, along with a more obvious candidate in Ryan Giggs.

The changes should at least bring a freshness to United as they face Moyes' much-improved team.

"When you go back to the 1960s and 1980s Everton were the dominant team," said Ferguson.

"But after Howard Kendall left they seemed to have financial problems from time to time.

"But David Moyes is building a big club. The evidence is there.

"My problem on Sunday is that we will face a very hungry team.

"David has to win a trophy. I know he is feeling that way and this is a big opportunity for him."