Ferguson: 'Man Utd, Liverpool need each other'

Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Manchester United and Liverpool need each other, despite the recent controversy surrounding Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez.

Liverpool's Uruguayan striker refused to shake Evra's hand before Saturday's match at Old Trafford, even though he had been found guilty of racially abusing the defender during a game in October.

The move drew widespread criticism of Suarez and Liverpool Football Club, but both parties issued apologies for the incident after Saturday's encounter.

"We're all delighted we've put that in the past," Ferguson told reporters. "Both clubs have got great history and rivalry and both sets of supporters should be delighted. Sometimes we lose, sometimes we win, but we both need each other, no doubt about that."

United travel to Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday.