Evra To Pursue Claim

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Patrice Evra will pursue a claim of racial abuse against Liverpool forward Luis Suarez and trusts the Football Association to investigate the incident thoroughly.

Speaking after Uniteds's 1-1 draw at Anfield last Saturday, Reds defender Evra told French television channel Canal + that Suarez had “said a certain word to me at least 10 times... there is no place for that in 2011”.

In Romania on Monday night, the United manager insisted Evra still felt strongly about the issue.

“We spoke to Patrice today and he was adamant he wanted to follow it up,” Sir Alex said. “It's not an easy one because everybody knows Manchester United and Liverpool have great responsibilities in terms of what happens on and off the pitch. Incidentally, I thought Saturday was terrific - both sets of fans were good and there was none of the silly chanting we've had in previous years.

“This [allegation] isn't something we want to level against Liverpool and it's not against Liverpool... but obviously Patrice feels very aggrieved by what was said to him. Now it rests in the hands of the FA.”

The FA have confirmed they will investigate Evra's claim, an allegation Suarez has vehemently denied. Liverpool have also released a statement publicly backing the striker and offering him their total support.

FA protocol dictates any investigation into the matter must begin with an interview of Evra, who will be asked to repeat the claim he has already made to both Canal + and Saturday's referee, Andre Marriner. But with United currently in Romania that is unlikely to take place until the squad arrive back in England on Wednesday.

While supportive of Evra's claim, Sir Alex insists racism is not common in the English game.

“There are very few examples in England of racism,” he said. “It's not an issue for the game – there's an odd example and this is what's maybe surprised Patrice Evra. He feels he was slighted by somebody on Saturday and that's something we don't want to see.”