Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping that Manchester United's clash with Liverpool on Sunday will be free of controversy, the Independent reports.

The two rivals meet at Old Trafford in the Premier League in a fixture that has always been fiery down the years, but has had added tension recently due to Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez' racism row.

The Uruguayan refused to shake Evra's hand when the sides last met at Old Trafford, however the two players have since made their peace at Anfield in September in the sides first meeting of the season, and Ferguson is hoping for more of the same this time around.

"There will always be a certain build-up to a Manchester United-Liverpool game, simply because of the history between the two clubs, the two most successful in the country," he said.

"It brings its own agenda in terms of profile and pre-match discussion."

"Last year it was unfortunate with the Suarez behaviour."

"I think hopefully it is behind both clubs now and we can just look forward to the game."

United go into the game as league leaders while Liverpool have also seen an improvement in their form over recent weeks, and the match up will see the Premier Leagues two leading scorers go head to head.

Robin van Persie currently has 16 league goals, with Luis Suarez just one behind him and both have been in tremendous form.

[cat_link cat="manchester-united" type="grid"]