Are planted questions the seed of Rafa's new rage at Ferguson?

Is Sir Alex Ferguson using Manchester United's official magazine to derail Liverpool's title bid?

That is the conspiracy theory being floated in the wake of Rafael Benitez's attack on the Scot's influence on referees and the football authorities.

The catalyst for Benitez's rant was Ferguson's jibe about Liverpool's staying power in the Teddington-based monthly - Inside United. It was the second time the mag had annoyed the Merseysiders, with Fergie previously using it to express "surprise" Robbie Keane's £20million move.

On both occasions, Ferguson was responding to fans' written questions, and his latest Liverpool dig came in reply to "Isobel from Bury", who asked: "Against West Ham earlier this season, Liverpool seemed affected by the chance to forge on in the title race -is it difficult to win a title when you're not used to leading the way?"

The conspiracy theorists suggest that for a fan to ask such a detailed question about another club is unusual. However, United sources insist Bury's Isobel (no surname provided) is a real person and all questions are genuine.

George puts his shirt on Town

As Celebrity Big Brother reaches its climax next week, one of its famous former contestants, George Galloway MP, will be paying more attention to the FA Cup.

The Scot will be cheering for Fulham to lose against Kettering Town due to the non-league club's tie-up with Palestinian charity Interpal.

Kettering have worn shirts promoting Palestine Aid', to the delight of campaigner Galloway. He said: “I will be taking a keen interest in Town now.

From volley to Valley for Murray

It's a miserable time to be a Charlton fan but one of their number could be celebrating if Andy Murray wins the Australian Open.

His strength coach, Matt Little, is a season-ticket holder and has been trying to persuade the Scot to adopt them as his English team. Little said: “I've dragged him to The Valley a couple of times.

Against Wolves, he got to the game after Nicky Bailey's opener, so I was sitting there with a big grin. It was quickly wiped off but I'm working on getting him down a bit more often.”

Bentley sails into choppy waters

The invite read: “David Bentley Is All At Sea”. But the event was not a debate on his struggles at Tottenham, rather a promotional gig at Tower Bridge for Puma's entry in the round-the-world yacht race.

Bentley was there in his capacity as an “ambassador” for the company but publicity-hungry organisers were not impressed when he declined to speak to the journalists present.

Meanwhile, Fabio Capello's right-hand man, Franco Baldini, made his first visit to Wigan for Spurs' 1-0 defeat on Sunday. Asked which of Harry Redknapp's players he was watching, the Italian was tight-lipped, replying only: “I'm here for the pies.”

Cook reaches boiling point

Lee Cook was overjoyed at completing his return to Queens Park Rangers from Fulham. “Everyone knows QPR are my club,” he told the club's website on 8 January. “I'm delighted to be back.”

He was less happy five days earlier, however, when storming out of Loftus Road not long after the final whistle of the FA Cup tie with Burnley. Cook, who was substituted at half-time, was still dressed in his tracksuit and had, according to one witness, a “face like thunder” as he sped from the players' exit to his car.