Benitez refuses to congratulate Ferguson on winning Premier League

London, May 18 (ANI): Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez refused to congratulate Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson on winning the English Premier League.

The angry Liverpool boss could not even bear to mention Ferguson's name when quizzed about Manchester United's achievement in drawing level with the Reds on 18 titles.

Benitez, whose side relegated West Brom on Sunday by beating the Baggies 2-0, said: "I'll say well done to Manchester United, but not to anybody else! "I try to be polite and respectful to my fellow managers at all times throughout the season. But in this case, I saw some things and I heard some things that I did not like."

"So I'll repeat, to make it clear, that I'm prepared to congratulate Manchester United as a good club and a big club. But that's all, nothing else," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

The Spaniard has spent much of the season ranting at his Old Trafford rival.

"They also have a very big squad and won a lot of games one-nothing. Next season, it could be different. For them, spending 20million pound or even 30 million pound on players to come off the bench and influence matches, it is easier than for the rest of us.

"But we are working hard to catch up with them and hopefully to overhaul them. That is our aim," Benitez added. (ANI)