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.
Chikere
posts a Draw No Bet tip on Madura United vs PSS Sleman 1 minute ago |
|
barci69
posts a First Team to Score tip on Rača vs Podkonice 9 minutes ago |
|
barci69
posts a Asian Handicap tip on Dobrovice vs Čáslav 10 minutes ago |
|
barci69
posts a 1X2 tip on Slovan Bratislava II vs Tatran Prešov 10 minutes ago |
|
barci69
posts a Asian Handicap tip on Adelaide United vs Western United 13 minutes ago |
|
blanko12
posts a Over / Under tip on Adelaide United vs Western United 23 minutes ago |
|
blanko12
posts a Over / Under tip on Adelaide United vs Western United 24 minutes ago |
|
khaya
posts a In-Play Last Team to Score tip on Adelaide United W vs Newcastle Jets W 1 hour and 42 minutes ago |
|
khaya
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Adelaide United W vs Newcastle Jets W 1 hour and 42 minutes ago |
|
PenebakJitu
posts a Asian Handicap tip on Slovan Liberec U19 vs FC Fastav Zlin U19 2 hours and 0 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
Boeun Sangmu W vs Incheon Red Angels W |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
Neratovice-Byškovice vs Chomutov |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
Boeun Sangmu W vs Incheon Red Angels W |
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.
Al Ain U19 |
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.
I like soccer punter because it's free, enjoyable and no risk taking, you just give out your predictions without any charges,also it gives rewards to its members and upgrade them to platninum levels.
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 © 2002-2024 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: