Benitez sends pointed warning

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The Liverpool boss launched a staggering attack on Friday on the conduct of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson towards referees and footballing authority and was critical of what he claimed was intimidation of officials in matches at Old Trafford.

Benitez said: "We know what happens when we go to Old Trafford. Mr Scolari maybe needs to know to use zonal marking against the staff of United because they are always using man to man with the referees when they go to the bench."

He added: "And especially at half-time when they are walking close to the referees and talking and talking and talking."

Liverpool could be 10 points ahead of United by the time the champions and Chelsea clash if the current league leaders win at Stoke.

But with the big Old Trafford crunch just 24 hours away, Benitez's comments about how he feels United behave towards referees was pointedly aimed at Chelsea chief Scolari.

"All the managers need to know, only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures and the referees--nothing will happen," he said. "I think we need to know about this. We are talking about facts, we are not talking about my impression. Everybody can see this every single week."

Benitez's initial outburst was prompted by Ferguson's complaints the fixture schedule is unhelpful towards his side.

On Saturday, former top-flight referee Graham Poll insisted he agreed with Benitez's suggestion that the United boss receives preferential treatment from FA disciplinary chiefs.

"Rafa Benitez has articulated what referees have been thinking for years - that Sir Alex Ferguson can say what he wants about them and the FA will allow him to get away with it," he told the Daily Mail.