FORMER Premier League referee Graham Poll believes Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was wrong to claim his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson gets under the skin of match officials.

Benitez argued that Ferguson’s criticism of referees was “killing” them, and claimed the FA have not acted strongly enough.

But Poll claimed last night: “What I would say about refereeing at Old Trafford is it’s the place to go and referee in the Premier League – because it’s the biggest one, so that’s where referees aspire to.

“The first time you go there, of course you’re going to be nervous; of course you’re going to be tentative and you’re well aware of reputations.

“But once you’re an experienced referee it doesn’t make any difference. You go out and referee completely impartially to the best of your ability.

“It’s a slight on the top referees to say they are intimidated by Ferguson, because I don’t think they are.”

Poll also dismissed suggestions Sir Alex exerts any more pressure on referees that other managers at games. He said: “He doesn’t do any more. What he does, he does better. That I think is the key.”

Pundit Poll described Benitez’s attitude to referees as “almost ambivalent” and claimed referees have “no contact” with the Liverpool manager at matches, claiming Ferguson is more personable.