English Premier League: Benitez lucky to land Chelsea job, says Ferguson

United look to return to top of the league today.

MANCHESTER: Alex Ferguson wasted little time renewing his old rivalry with Rafael Benitez when he branded the Spaniard ‘lucky’ for walking into the manager’s job at Chelsea.

Benitez, whose relationship with Ferguson was often fractious during his time in charge of Liverpool, was named Chelsea’s interim manager on Wednesday following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo.

“Benitez is very lucky because on his CV, in two weeks’ time, he could have two world club titles to his name and had nothing to do with the teams,” said Ferguson ahead of today’s clash with QPR. “Jose Mourinho won the treble at Inter. Rafa took over and they won the world title (in 2010) without having to do anything. He had nothing to do with the construction of the teams.”

Meanwhile, United can overtake cross-town rivals City, if only for a day, at the summit if they beat QPR, who sacked boss Mark Hughes yesterday. The match will be United’s first since yesterday’s scheduled unveiling of a statue of Ferguson who, in contrast to the managerial maelstrom elsewhere, has presided over the club for 26 years.

“He’s a great example for all managers and it’s great to work with him,” said Nemanja Vidic. “You learn something new from him every day.”

United will be without Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa, who is still recovering from a knee injury, but both the ill Wayne Rooney and goal-keeper David De Gea, who has had wisdom teeth removed, could return. QPR captain Park Ji-Sung has only an outside chance of recovering from a knee injury in time to face his former club, while Fabio Da Silva, on loan from United, is ineligible.

In other matches, Arsenal and Everton will try to press their top four claims against Aston Villa and Norwich respectively with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger buoyed by the fact the top teams all seem to be dropping points.

“With what is going on in the league, it looks like the team that can show consistency has a chance and if we are able to show consistency now we have a chance to come back to the top teams,” said Arsene Wenger.

West Bromwich Albion will look to continue their impressive start under manager Steve Clarke when they travel to Sunderland.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2012.