Fergie shock at Rafa pressure

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted ahead of Man Utd's crucial weekend clash with Liverpool that he is unsure why Rafa Benitez is under so much pressure to perform at Anfield after the Spaniard brought the Champions League to Liverpool.

"I can never understand where criticism comes from," said the United manager.

"Rafa has a great record but all of a sudden you read about a supposed dispute between Benitez and his directors.

"Other people take more of an interest in Liverpool than me but there is obviously some undercurrent of a dispute running somewhere along the line, which is strange considering his record.

"Rafa won the European Cup after being 3-0 down to AC Milan, which is an amazing feat," said Ferguson.