Ferguson renews plea to Man. United supporters

Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United’s supporters to behave themselves at Liverpool on Saturday – and ensure they back his team in the correct manner

Improved behaviour by United fans at this season’s Premier League clash between the north-west giants has led to a large increase in the percentage of their ticket allocation being released for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Anfield.

Your support is vital but please put the emphasis on getting us into the next round...

However, there are fears of problems as it will also be the first meeting between the teams since the race row exploded between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez that ended with the Liverpool striker being hit by an eight-match suspension.

In a letter to supporters who have tickets for the game, Ferguson makes no reference to Evra or Suarez, or the row he has continually stressed would have no impact on relations between the two clubs.

However, he has pleaded for “positive, witty and loud” support as his side attempt to reach the last 16.

“I wrote to fans attending the away match in October urging them to co-operate with stewards and officials at Liverpool so we can make a strong case for restoring our allocation for future United games at Anfield,” said the letter from Ferguson.

“The fans did almost everything asked of them that day and as a result, we have a much improved allocation for this important FA Cup tie.

“Please do everything you can to continue that good work.

“Your support is vital but please put the emphasis on getting us into the next round and giving the sort of support you are famous for – positive, witty and loud.”

It had previously been suggested peace talks would take place bet-ween Liverpool and United officials over the bad blood that was spilled during the Evra-Suarez row.

Ferguson claimed he did not see the need for that and though there have been discussions, it is believed they centred around the game itself and were no more significant than they would be for any other direct clash in recent years.

When the teams last met in the FA Cup at Anfield, in February 2006, there were widespread claims of mistreatment by the United fans, which it is hoped a massive police and stewarding presence will avoid on this occasion.