Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Manchester United will “keep their dignity” when they face Liverpool in a potentially fiery Premier League game at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The latest match between the bitter rivals is set to be the first time Liverpool striker Luis Suarez will come face-to-face with Patrice Evra since the Uruguay international was hit with an eight-game ban for racially abusing the United defender in a game at Anfield in October.
Suarez only returned from the ban on Monday when he appeared as a substitute in Liverpool’s goalless league draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur. After the match, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish fanned the flames of controversy by saying Suarez should never have served a ban at all.
“It’s fantastic to have him back. He should never have been out in the first place,” said Dalglish.
Ferguson, asked at a press conference in Manchester on Friday whether he was content with the way Liverpool had handled the matter, replied: “Well, they’ve said plenty haven’t they?
“We’ve kept our counsel and I think that is the right thing to do in these situations. We’ll keep it that way too.”
Ferguson also played down the pre-match handshake between Evra and Suarez – a gesture abandoned when Chelsea played QPR last month in their first meeting since Chelsea skipper John Terry was accused of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, brother of United’s Rio.
“I’ve never really thought about it,” Ferguson added when asked whether he had spoken to Evra about the pre-match pleasantries.
“I’m not really bothered about it. It’s never been an issue because we’ve been concentrating on training, and this week it’s been really good.
“We are chasing the league and Liverpool are chasing a Champions League place. It’s an important game for both clubs. We’ll just get on with our job.
“We’ve kept our dignity throughout and we’ll just concentrate on the game.”
Reigning Premier League champions United head into the weekend two points behind leaders Manchester City.
But Ferguson’s side will go top if they avenge their FA Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool two weeks ago as City are not in action again until Sunday at mid-table Aston Villa.
United defender Chris Smalling is in line to return after recovering from a knock while midfielder Tom Cleverley could also feature for the first time since the end of October after recovering from a damaged ankle.
Ferguson was pleased with his team’s fighting spirit after coming from 3-0 behind to salvage a point in a 3-3 draw at Chelsea last week.
But United have only kept two clean sheets in eight games, and the Scot admitted he is worried by the amount of sloppy goals his side are conceding.
“Our performances over the last few weeks have been good,” he said. “But we gave two soft goals against Liverpool in the FA Cup and that shouldn’t be happening at this club.
“Against Liverpool in the Cup we dominated the game. It wasn’t a fair result but the Cup can produce things like that. It happens. We conceded a goal towards the end and when it’s sudden death, you’re out.”
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a Asian Handicap tip on LDU Quito vs Flamengo just now |
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a 1X2 tip on Atlético GO vs Cuiabá just now |
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a Asian Handicap tip on Volta Redonda vs Ferroviária just now |
![]() |
dangosaw
posts a Odd / Even tip on San Cristobal vs Deportivo Pantoja just now |
![]() |
SoccerMerlin
posts a Asian Handicap tip on River Plate Res. vs Rosario Central Res. 3 minutes ago |
![]() |
xxlbnero
posts a 1X2 tip on Volta Redonda vs Ferroviária 9 minutes ago |
![]() |
xxlbnero
posts a Correct Score tip on Volta Redonda vs Ferroviária 9 minutes ago |
![]() |
xxlbnero
posts a Correct Score tip on Boca Juniors de Cali vs Orsomarso 9 minutes ago |
![]() |
xxlbnero
posts a Correct Score tip on Volta Redonda vs Ferroviária 9 minutes ago |
![]() |
xxlbnero
posts a Correct Score tip on Boca Juniors de Cali vs Orsomarso 10 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not lost at home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
Soccer Punter has helped me become better at forecasting games.
As a sport influencer/ myself forecasting winning games is critical to keeping followers happy and this platform has helped me achieve that.
thanks Soccer Punter
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2025 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: