Manchester United defender Patrice Evra 'adamant' about pursuing racism claims against Luis Suárez

Manchester United defender Evra, who Ferguson insisted was in the right frame of mind to play against Romanian champions Otelul Galati in tonight’s Champions League Group C clash in Bucharest, claimed Suárez racially insulted him ‘at least 10 times’ during Saturday’s Premier League encounter at Anfield.

Evra was accompanied by Ferguson when informing referee Andre Marriner of his claims following the 1-1 draw, but Suárez has strenuously denied Evra’s allegations, issuing a statement on Facebook on Sunday evening expressing his ‘upset’ at being accused by the Senegal-born France international.

The unsavoury row has done little to soothe relations between the two clubs, but while Ferguson insists that United have no issue with Liverpool, he admits Evra is determined to push for action against Suárez.

“I spoke to Patrice today and he is adamant he wants to follow it on.” Ferguson said. “It is not an easy one for us. Everyone knows Manchester United and Liverpool have great responsibilities in terms of things that happen on the field and Saturday was terrific.

“Both sets of fans were good, there was not any of that silly chanting we have had in previous years and the fans deserve praise for that. It is not something we would want to level against Liverpool anyway.

“But obviously Patrice feels very aggrieved at what was said to him, so it rests in the hands of the FA now.”

Senior figures at Old Trafford have admitted privately that they do not expect the FA to launch a full investigation into the allegations until the club returns from Bucharest on Wednesday morning.

Liverpool have been informed by the FA, however, that it intends to speak to Evra before assessing the strength of his claims and any possible action against Suárez. The FA is expected to interview Evra on Wednesday or Thursday, but Ferguson admits the 30-year-old, who was captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic at Anfield, remains angered by the alleged incident.

“He thought he was slighted on Saturday.” Ferguson said. “We don’t want to see it. It is as simple as that. It [racist abuse] doesn’t happen in England. There are very few examples of that. Since I have come down [in 1986] we have had some fantastic players at Manchester United who have been black. Fantastic players. It is not an issue for the game itself. There is an odd example and maybe this is what surprised Patrice.”

With two of the Premier League’s leading players at the centre of such an ugly controversy, PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor insisted that the players’ union is prepared to mediate in an effort to secure a resolution.

Taylor said: “It is something we’ve done in the past and it’s something I hope we’ll be asked to do in the future. It’s very disappointing to have two of our players from different countries at odds over a very serious issue.

“Only by having a full inquiry on such matters can we get to the bottom of it and try to make sure that such problems don’t arise again in the future.”

The furore surrounding Evra has taken the focus away from what has become a crucial Champions League fixture for United following their failure to win either of their opening two games against Benfica and FC Basle.

The FA is still awaiting an explanation from Uefa over Wayne Rooney’s three-match Euro 2012 ban, even though the hearing took place last Thursday.

Uefa’s disciplinary and control body is due to provide a full written justification of its decision to suspend Rooney for the entire group phase of the tournament, with the FA awaiting this information before deciding whether to appeal.

But having dropped Rooney to the substitutes’ bench at Anfield due to the England forward being ‘devastated’ by the ban, Ferguson admits the 25-year-old will return to the starting line-up against Galati.

“I think the initial [suspension] news was a definite blow for him. He didn’t expect that. I don’t think any of us did,” he said. “To me, it was a silly action, but it wasn’t seriously dangerous. It was a slight reaction, but to get a three-match ban?

“When he realised getting a three-match ban meant missing all the group games for England, that resonated in his mind. But when he came on [at Anfield] he was quite bubbly. He was desperate to get on actually. He’ll be playing tonight.”

Barring the rested Rio Ferdinand and midfielder Tom Cleverley, who remains short of match fitness after an ankle injury, Ferguson has taken a full-strength squad to Bucharest.