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Ferguson dignified ahead of reunion Sir Alex Ferguson is determined Manchester United will retain their dignity as Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez come face to face for the first time since the racism row exploded between the pair.

Suarez has now returned to action after serving an eight-match ban for the comments he made to Evra at Anfield in October.

However, Liverpool's actions over the past few months have not been well received.

As recently as Monday, Kenny Dalglish insisted Suarez's lengthy punishment was unjust, a surprising claim given the Reds chief had avoided any inflammatory statements prior to the recent FA Cup tie between the two clubs.

Ferguson is determined not to rise to the bait.

"They've said plenty, haven't they?" said Ferguson. "We've kept our dignity throughout. We've kept our counsel. That is the right thing to do in these situations.

"We'll keep it that way, too and just concentrate on the game." The clash represents the third of four demanding matches in a six-game period Ferguson always felt would hold the key to United's title challenge.

So far, a win at Arsenal and a draw at Chelsea represents a decent return.

However, three points are a must in what Ferguson still regards as the biggest game of the season.

"It's always going to be a big game," he said. "That's not changed since I've been down here and it's just the same.

"We're chasing the league and they're chasing a Champions League place. It's important for both clubs.

"Our form's as good as it's ever been. We're playing really good football and the concentration levels are good." Tom Cleverley is expected to play some part having recovered from an ankle injury while Chris Smalling (knock) is also set to return. But Phil Jones (ankle) is still missing.

Liverpool's recent success over United will give the players encouragement, according to Dalglish.

But the Scot has warned they will have to earn victory in exactly the same manner as they did in the 2-1 win at Anfield a fortnight ago.

Dalglish's first match on his return to the club in January 2011 to replace Roy Hodgson was a 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford, in which captain Steven Gerrard was sent off.

The Reds gained revenge with a 3-1 Barclays Premier League win at Anfield last March and had the better of a 1-1 home draw in October before their cup victory last month.

"It is a huge game. Everyone looks forward to it on both sides and it is important for both clubs to get something from the game," said the Scot.

"For us we know we are capable of getting something as we've done it, we have beaten them twice and drawn once at Anfield so that gives us a bit of encouragement.

"But anything we want from the game we will have to earn it on the day and we will work as hard as we have done to get the previous results and see if we can get success.

"We know what we have had to do in the past. We have the utmost respect for what they have achieved and what they have got and we will do our best to repeat the performances we have put on against them.

"There is a lot you can take into it but on Saturday you only get out of it what you put into it.

"It is a fantastic place to go and play but it is even more enjoyable when you walk away with a positive result." Dalglish, who earlier in the week insisted it was time for a line to be drawn under the Suarez affair, refused to talk about the reception the 25-year-old is expected to receive at Old Trafford.

The Scot insists he is concentrating solely on the football side of things and, based on United's last result, knows his side cannot afford any suggestion of complacency to creep in.

"We know they're an excellent side who came back from 3-0 at Chelsea last week," he added.

"That will give them a lift even though they only got a point, so we know what we're up against.

"They might have an awful lot of the ball but we plan to have a bit of the ball ourselves.

"It is not how much you have percentage-wise in terms of possession, it is what you do with it.

"You have to accept sometimes possession does not always determine the result of the game, it is what you do with it that counts.

Man Utd vs Liverpool

Last modified 14:57 11/02/12

Rooney double overshadowed by feud The simmering feud between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra exploded at Old Trafford as Manchester United went top of the Premier League after a 2-1 win over Liverpool.

On his first start since serving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Evra at Anfield in October, Suarez refused to offer his hand during the traditional pre-match handshake.

Evra reacted angrily and after apparently trying to confront Suarez in the tunnel at the end of the first half celebrated victory in close proximity to a disconsolate Suarez.

The Uruguayan continued to walk down the tunnel as some of Liverpool's players took umbrage at Evra's celebrations, remonstrating with the defender as tempers threatened to boil over. Rio Ferdinand had earlier refused to shake Suarez's hand either, emphasising the depth of his feeling at recent events.

Amid the rancour, United emerged with three precious points as Wayne Rooney's second-half double sent them top of the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men had to survive a nervy 10 minutes at the end though after Suarez's close-range finished had halved the deficit.

Reaction to Suarez was swift and damning and Evra was so obviously not amused.

Ferdinand might not have thought so, but it was probably just as well he bore the brunt of Evra's intended challenge on Suarez inside the first minute, otherwise the United skipper would have been in trouble.

Nothing much happened for a long time after that, with the game getting stuck in a midfield scrap.

Glen Johnson had the clearest opportunity, only to curl his shot wide after skipping inside Evra.

Rafael responded with a similar opportunity, which was saved by Pepe Reina.

It was not long before United opened their visitors up though.

Paul Scholes continued his run after finding Ryan Giggs with a quite brilliant pass to the left touchline.

When Giggs delivered the cross, Scholes was all on his own on the edge of the six-yard box.

It should have been the opener. Instead, the veteran midfielder's header went straight at Reina, who batted it away.

After the flurry of activity, the contest reverted back to the mundane.

That was until the final minute of the half, when Ferdinand sent Suarez to the deck with a tackle TV replays showed was perfectly legal.

Suarez felt differently and when referee Phil Dowd refused to award the free-kick that would surely have brought Ferdinand's dismissal, he reacted furiously.

Booting the ball at towards the dug-out as the half-time whistle blew, Suarez had to be escorted down the tunnel by team-mates.

Once inside though, the whole thing exploded once more, with Evra apparently intent on confronting the Uruguayan, with players from both sides involved in a melee that required police intervention.

The Football Association will be wanting to know more about that but the spark suited United better judging by the way they began the second half.

When Jordan Henderson could only get the faintest of touches to Giggs' curling corner, it sent the ball straight to Rooney.

On his own at the far post, the England striker swept home a first-time shot.

The home fans barely had time to catch their breath before Rooney struck again.

This time, Liverpool only had themselves to blame as Jay Spearing surrendered possession to Valencia in a dangerous area.

Unselfishly, Valencia found Rooney immediately and the United man finished off his 17th Premier League goal of the season.

The whole complexion of the afternoon had changed.

After Michael Carrick had sent Suarez flying, Rooney was denied a hat-trick when he brilliant effort was ruled out for an earlier foul by Jonny Evans.

More good work from Valencia presented Rooney with another opportunity, which he spurned.

It triggered a double substitution from Kenny Dalglish, who introduced Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy.

Then, after Danny Welbeck had scuffed a shot straight to Reina, Charlie Adam came on.

Suarez remained throughout, so was on hand to finish off after United's defence had got themselves in a tangle as they tried to clear Adam's free-kick and the ball bounced kindly off Ferdinand.

Welbeck would have eased a few nerves if he had not wasted a good chance on United's next attack.

However, after an excellent save from David de Gea to deny Johnson in stoppage time and Suarez missing from close range when he was offside anyway, the hosts held on to claim a valuable win, even if the hope of both clubs that the match should remembered for the football was sadly not met.