Manchester United and Liverpool play down Evra-Suarez case

Luis Suarez was banned for eight games for racially abusing Patrice Evra in the game between Liverpool and Manchester United in October 2011

Sir Alex Ferguson and Kenny Dalglish have played down concerns there could be acrimony between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was banned after racially abusing Patrice Evra in the draw at Anfield in October.

The players meet for the first time since that incident, and Dalglish said: "We will comment on football."

"It has never been an issue. We are concentrating on the game," added Manchester United boss Ferguson.

Uruguay international Suarez is set for his first appearance against United, at Old Trafford, since his eight-game suspension.

Dalglish refused to speak about what treatment the striker can expect at Old Trafford.

"We enjoy going there to play football and that is all we are going to concentrate on. We've covered every other aspect of what has to be covered," he said.

"In the build-up to the FA Cup tie everyone played their part: both clubs, both sets of fans and the referee (Mark Halsey) was magnificent in the way he handled the game.

"If it is the same again then everyone will be happy."

Ferguson adopted a similar stance, refusing to comment at any length on the issue of Suarez and Evra.

"We've just got on with our job," said the United manager. "We've kept our dignity throughout and will concentrate on the game.

"They (Liverpool) have said plenty haven't they? But we've kept our counsel and I think that's the right thing to do in these situations.

"We've not thought about it, we're not bothered about it and we're focused on the game."