Ferguson berates 'ridiculous' Benitez claims

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson hit back at Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez last night, describing the Spaniard's extraordinary verbal attack on him as 'ridiculous'.

Benitez accused Ferguson of getting away with comments about referees during a four-minute monologue on Friday, also saying the Scot was nervous because Liverpool are top of the league.

After United thrashed Chelsea 3-0 yesterday to close the gap to Liverpool to five points with two games in hand, Ferguson dismissed Benitez's comments.

"Well, I think you've got to cut through the venom of it," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"Hopefully he'll reflect and understand that what he was saying was ridiculous.

"I think he was an angry man and was disturbed and that's all I want to say about it. At this moment in time I just want to concentrate on chasing the leaders who are Liverpool."