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Sir Alex Ferguson has hit back at Avram Grant's claims that Manchester United benefited from favourable refereeing decisions in their crucial victory over Wigan Athletic last Sunday.
"I've been expecting it," Ferguson said. "I don't think it's about last Sunday, I think it's about next Wednesday and maybe even next season. I could go on and on about decisions because they're all debatable at the end of the day, we feel we didn't get a lot of decisions this season.
“Maybe when we went to Chelsea we should have been champions before it, but with the season over we can put it on the backburner and now it's about next Wednesday and I think that's why Avram's talking that way.”
The Chelsea first-team coach had claimed that Steve Bennett, the referee, helped United win the title by missing a deliberate handball by Rio Ferdinand and failing to dismiss Paul Scholes after his clumsy challenge on Wilson Palacios.
Ferguson has brushed off the remarks as nothing more than petty mind games as the war of words between the clubs continues before the Champions League final in Moscow next Wednesday.
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Typical Chelsea. Obviously we only won the title because of Steve Bennett's performance against Wigan; the other 37 games where we won the most games, scored the most goals, conceeded the least, took the most points off the top 4 and played the best football is completely irrelevant.......
Dean, Manchester,
Chelsea have been trying to put the pressure on everyone else in the media. They are just trying to hold on to their shattered egos. For a team who played had greater gaps between the matches leading up to the title decider, you choked, Chelski. Much like you will in Moscow, when we put you down.
Micky, Brisbane, Australia
Chelsea benefit more than any other club with referees decisions. The Liverpool penalty, the Arsenal offsides, Terry grabbing cards from refs, Lampard red card rescinded... What a bunch of nonsense. An independent body should also investigate how Chelsea get such an easy draw every time
Simon, London,
Neither Grant or J. Wilkes from Gloucester can be taken seriously. Envy forces people to say silly things. ON UNITED!!! BEAT CHELSKI!!! P.S. Mr. Wilkes, I hope you have the same respect for dear old Avram when he's kicked upstairs next season.Will we see attractive football then?
Geoff, Woodbury,Connecticut, USA
J. Wilkes, you're kidding yourself if you think that Fergie, or any other manager for that matter, has any actual influence on the decisions of referees in the heat of the game. Anyhow, what power does he have over them anyway apart from voicing his disapproval to the press
Matthew, Warrington,
My respect for Grant has increased immeasurably as he has had the nerve to say what everyone who follows football knows full well.
J.Wilkes, Gloucester,