While unhappy, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson felt Patrice Evra was justified in his taunting celebrations towards Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. Ferguson was shocked by Suarez's decision to snub Evra in the pre-match handshake.

He admitted that Evra was wrong to inflame the tensions - "he shouldn't have done that" - but he said Evra was entitled to his moment after the treatment he has suffered. "Liverpool Football Club have a player banned for eight matches, and they've tried to blame Patrice Evra? It's him [Suárez] they should be blaming. He could have cost them a European place. After everything that has been said this week, all the buildup, the atmosphere, I just couldn't believe it."

Ferguson went on to address Suárez kicking the ball against the advertising boards at half-time - "Maybe that's the kind of character he is," he said - before speaking of his belief that Suárez was damaging the fight against prejudice in football.

"We've really got to get our house in order in terms of fighting racism. It's an issue, an absolutely important issue in this country. Football has come a long way from the days of John Barnes, people throwing bananas at him, but we can't go back. We have to go forward in a positive way and ban it all together."