Suarez reignites Evra row as angry United skipper grabs striker after handshake snub

Patrice Evra was left fuming after race-row rival Luis Suarez dramatically snubbed him in a pre-match handshake as the pair went face-to-face for the first time since their controversial fallout at Old Trafford.

The pair became bitter enemies following their controversial clash at Anfield last October when Suarez was later found guilty of racially abusing the Frenchman and forced to serve an eight-ban ban.

Suarez - who was selected to start by manager Kenny Dalglish - has refused to directly apologise to the United defender since.The striker appeared to be in no mood to accommodate the stand-in United captain in a tense pre-match showdown.

The Frenchman offered his hand to the Uruguay international, who was banned for eight matches for racially abusing the defender, but he bypassed the Frenchman and went straight to goalkeeper David de Gea.

Angered, Evra pulled his foe back, dragging him by the arm and exchanged angry words.

Rio Ferdinand then avoided Suarez before the match got underway.

Suarez attempted to drowned out the boo-boys when he arrived at Old Trafford wearing headphones.
The Uruguayan was one of the last player's to step off the Liverpool team-bus but kept his head down as he followed the rest of the quad towards the away dressing room.

But there was no hiding place as he emerged from the tunnel and entered a cauldron of hate with the angry United supporters reminding him of his public enemy No 1 status in Stretford.

His first touches were met with vociferous jeers from the home faithful with Evra booed in response from the away fans.

It is understood that there were clashes in the tunnel between players from both sides at half-time with police and stewards involved.

Evra's Manchester United team-mate Darren Fletcher praised the Frenchman for being 'the bigger man' over the handshakes.

'I think what went on before the game has added that extra bit of spice to it, not that it needed it,' said Fletcher.

'Credit to Patrice Evra, I think he's come out, he's the bigger man. He's gone to shake his hand and obviously Suarez has rejected it.'

Former United full-back Gary Neville added: 'Obviously it's quite clear that Luis Suarez has completely blanked Patrice Evra.

'I'm not sure it's the wisest thing for him to do, I'm not sure he's helped his football club, I think that (Liverpool manager) Kenny Dalglish is now put in a position after the game where he's going to have to defend him again.'

Former Liverpool midfielder and Sportsmail columnist Jamie Redknapp said of the incident: 'I don't know why they had the handshakes, this was always going to happen today.

'They should have just taken it out of the equation.'

Sumber : Dailymail