Sir Alex Ferguson hits back at Rafa Benitez over claim he snubbed Chelsea boss

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished Rafa Benitez's claim that he refused to shake his Chelsea counterpart's hand.

Benitez accused the Scot of snubbing him before Chelsea's 2-2 draw with United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford last Sunday.

The interim Blues boss said after the match: “I was waiting at the beginning. I was ready and waiting and he just walked past. I have education and know what I have to do. You’ll have to ask him why he did not do it.”

Ferguson, however, has moved to deny the accusation, insisting he would never ignore any rival manager.

"It is absolute nonsense," he said, ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Reading on Saturday. "Why wouldn't I shake hands? Have you ever seen me not shake hands with anyone?

"I never saw him. I was signing autographs at the front and there was an Indian lad who always wants to shake hands before a game because he says it brings me luck.

"If he wanted to shake my hand he could have stood in front of me. I don't know why he has said that. It is nonsense."