Man Utd Build Up

[Shaggy]

Of course they were - that's why you could only hear the United fans chanting about Istanbul and why they were showing off an Istanbul banner (which was obviously pre-arranged and not in response).

[Mostar]

Lebron and our boys

[Cormack74]

http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/...fc-taunts.htmlSir Alex Ferguson has urged Manchester United's fans to end their taunts against Liverpool.

The Old Trafford boss made the plea to supporters ahead of tomorrow's visit to Anfield in a bid to stamp out a repeat of the slurs which have marred the clashes in recent years.

March's FA Youth Cup clash between the sides was overshadowed by chants relating to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death in Sheffield.

United themselves were subjected to ill-conceived songs about the 1958 Munich air disaster which killed several of their players, during last month's Carling Cup win over Leeds.

And Ferguson believes that both the Reds and United should respect each other ahead of one of the most fiercely anticipated clashes in the Premier League, if not world football.

He said: "I always consider this to be the game of the season in English football.

"We need each other. Respect should be adhered to.

"Shouts of Hillsborough don't do either club any good."

I thought fair play to Fergiescum until the last line. Why exactly would Liverpool fans use Hillsborough in an offensive way?

IMO he's saying it to appease Manc fans which undermines the message he's pretending to put accross.

[PTP]

What a wankdog, sorry PTP but your flatmate sounds like a right cunt.

I'd do anything to get a ticket for this game and then you get ****s like that, is he actually a Liverpool fan?

yeah - big red and plays football so understands the game - he's not a part time fan like some mates i have - just strange stance on this particular issue.... don't worry everyone has called him a cunt over it

[Neil Young]

I thought fair play to Fergiescum until the last line. Why exactly would Liverpool fans use Hillsborough in an offensive way?

IMO he's saying it to appease Manc fans which undermines the message he's pretending to put accross.

You've misunderstood him. He's suggesting it's not good for either club for Manchester United fans to shout about Hillsborough.

[Shaggy]

You've misunderstood him. He's suggesting it's not good for either club for Manchester United fans to shout about Hillsborough.

[dom9]

Or ours to chant about Munich. Does that still happen?

[dom9]

The BBC version:

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United's fixture against Liverpool is the biggest club game in the world.

The two title rivals meet at Anfield on Saturday and Ferguson believes the clash eclipses matches between Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"You know the difference - Barcelona's one end of the country, Madrid the other," he said. "The fans don't travel [in Spain].

"The only game that can rival United-Liverpool is Rangers-Celtic."

Ferguson added: "I have always considered it to be the game of the season in English football.

"It is all to do with the history of both clubs and cities."

Ferguson admits the Manchester derby may take on added significance over the course of the next few years but still favours his duels with the Merseysiders.

It promises to be another explosive match, but Ferguson has urged both sets of supporters to play their part by maintaining a healthy amount of respect for each other.

He said: "That [hostility] is never going to change but I think both clubs need each other.

"The history both clubs have should be appreciated by both sets of fans.

"That's sometimes annoying when I hear silly chants about Munich, about Hillsborough, I don't think it does either club any good at all because, without each other, there wouldn't be the English league.

"If it came to a stage where fans were banned from each other's ground, it wouldn't really be the same game. We need each other in that respect.

"The respect, in terms of the history of both clubs, should be adhered to and hopefully we can see that because it's a fantastic occasion."

The return of Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool manager has added even more spice to the fixture, with the old foes meeting for only the third time since the Reds brought one of their favourite sons back to Anfield.

Manchester United have the edge over Liverpool in this fixture. They have won the game 71 times, compared to Liverpool's 61 victories. There have been 50 draws.

United will be aiming to avenge their 3-1 Premier League defeat there in March, while it is the first time the two sides have met since Ferguson reacted angrily to questions posed by Kelly Cates, Dalglish's daughter, in a television interview.

A Liverpool victory would see them move to within three points of leaders United, who are sweating on the fitness of defender Nemanja Vidic.

"The big question mark is whether [he] is ready for the game," Ferguson said.

"He's certainly had his first game for Serbia on Tuesday, played a full game, so it's certainly a consideration because he's such a good competitor.

"He came in [on Thursday] and felt OK. But the Liverpool game is such an intense, draining game that you want everybody to be 100% so it may be more down to how he feels himself really."

[Liverpool]

Or ours to chant about Munich. Does that still happen?

yep, mostly when were getting beat

[dom9]

[Shaggy]

The BBC version:

Every single season Ferguson says the same stuff - not his fault of course. Can't believe the journos ask the same old tired questions.

[dom9]

Very true but jars to try and find new angles after so many years I spose.

[Neil Young]

Dome, give IRWT his phone back.

[dom9]

Oops.

[dom9]

Ian Dowies head is very shiny on ssn.