Rafa: Only V-sign that I care about is one for victory

RAFA BENITEZ has admitted he wants to flick a V-for-victory sign at Old Trafford.

In a week when Mike Ashley denied making a two-fingered salute to Newcastle fans, Benitez wants to celebrate with his own gesture.

Toon are looking for their first win of the season and Benitez says Ashley may have given his side a “little boost” by hosting a “positive” bonding meal.

Ashley was pictured resting his head on two fingers as he was driven home from the spaghetti summit, which some fans interpreted as an insult.

Benitez said: “Because I am coming from another country... if you win it’s a victory, it’s the victory sign. So hopefully we can do that at the end of the game. Victory!”

Benitez admits he held detailed talks with Ashley and said: “The difference is if you see (Ashley) in an office or a more informal situation. This was informal. It was positive, the dinner, the meeting, everything positive, because nothing strange happened.”

But he also conceded form on the pitch is the immediate priority.

He said: “You can’t buy confidence from the fifth floor of John Lewis.

Once we get that first win, confidence will come. I am 100 per cent confident we will stay in the Premier League.

“Palace, Bournemouth and Everton were in the bottom three after nine fixtures (last season) and none were relegated.

“For us, the main thing is to keep working hard and doing the right things, even if you lose a game. We need to do the right things.

“But even if you are right, you can lose. The team is good and the team will do well, if we have confidence. The squad (this season) is a little bit better. We didn’t have Dubravka or Kenedy at the start last season. Who has to make the difference? Rondon (below), Muto, then it’s a little bit better.

“Some players were doing well at the end of last season but not so well now. We will need some time to make sure they go back to that level.

“We play four of the top six. So was anyone expecting we’d be in the middle of the table? No. The fans are not panicking.”

Benitez refused to reignite his rivalry with Jose Mourinho and added: “I don’t remember any fragile United team. Good managers, good players.

“I see a team everyone expected to be higher, but it is a question of time.”