Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez handshake 'not an issue' says Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has played down concerns over the first meeting between Patrice Evra and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez since the Uruguayan's racism ban.

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford tomorrow with Suarez expected to feature after completing the eight-match penalty he incurred after he was found to have racially abused Evra.

The Anfield side, with manager Kenny Dalglish in the vanguard, have persistently defended Suarez's actions but Ferguson shrugged off concerns over lingering bad feeling.

Asked about the usual pre-match handshake between players, he said: "I have not even thought about that.

"It has never been an issue. We are concentrating on the game."

Although Dalglish has had no hesitation in speaking out in defence of Suarez, insisting after his side had dropped points in a 0-0 draw at home to Tottenham on Monday that the Uruguayan should not have been punished, Ferguson declined to comment on Suarez's behaviour.

He added: "We have kept our counsel, which was the right thing to do.

"We will keep it that way."

PA