Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to captain Patrice Evra before yesterday's Liverpool controversy.

Ferguson extended his thoughts on the way Evra had been treated over the last four months in the match programme.

"My biggest regret is the way that Patrice has been castigated in some quarters for standing up to racism," he told United Review.

"He can't have enjoyed the booing he endured at Anfield the other week, but he kept his dignity and his concentration on football.

"Patrice has, in fact, displayed exactly the kind of strength of character that I have been talking about.

"He has got through it because he wanted to get through it and hopefully now we can all get on with the game."