Benítez "missed the Boat" Over Dual-role Criticisms, Says United Chief Executive

David Gill claims Rafael Benítez has "missed the boat completely" by suggesting there is a conflict of interest in Manchester United's chief executive having posts at Old Trafford and the Football Association.

Liverpool's manager followed his surprise verbal attack on Sir Alex Ferguson last week by raising concerns about Gill's role on the board at Soho Square. "Is there a conflict of interest with David Gill at the FA?" the Spaniard said at the time.

But Gill today claimed there is no issue with him being involved at English football's governing body and with the current league and European champions.

"I was elected over the summer by the Premier League clubs. I'm very clear in my role. I think it is totally incorrect to assert that [there is a conflict of interest]," Gill told Yahoo while in Macau launching details of United's 2009 summer tour of Asian. "It's not how I work. I do not think I would have been elected for the last two years if that was the case . . . He [Benítez] missed the boat completely."

Ferguson has already responded to Benítez initial comments, part of which contained the claim that the Manchester United manager puts pressure on referees, saying there was "a lot of venom" in what his Liverpool counterpart said.

United will go above the Merseysiders at the top of the Premier League should they beat Wigan Athletic this evening and Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.