Alex Ferguson condemns United fans' anti-Liverpool chants

Sir Alex Ferguson has condemned Manchester United supporters involved in the anti-Liverpool chants which have increased the tension before Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield.

Ferguson's plea for an end to unsavoury chants was ignored by a section of United fans on Saturday, just three days after the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report exonerated Liverpool's supporters, to raise the potential of further friction this weekend.

The chants during United's victory over Wigan were branded "deplorable" by the club, while Ferguson has admitted his own disappointment ahead of what is already a traditionally volatile fixture.

Last season's racism case between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra only served to inflame the relationship between the two North-West clubs and Ferguson is keen to ensure that United's fans respect what will be an emotional afternoon on Sunday.

He said: "I didn't hear it but everyone seemed to hear it and I could tell from the directors' box, David Gill [the chief executive] was -disappointed. That's a new chant, it only started after the Suarez situation but in the view of the climate and having -spoken on Friday asking supporters to adhere to the policy that we want to adopt.

"We are completely in support of Liverpool Football Club at this moment and we understand what those families must have felt reading that report. So it was disappointing to hear that and you're right, it was a minority and in our society there is a minority that want to be heard and that is the difficulty nowadays but as a club we are totally supportive of Liverpool Football Club in this situation they're in.

"It's going to be a very emotional day on Sunday and we'll support them in every way we can."

United will begin their Champions League campaign against Galatasaray tonight, with Ferguson keen to repair the damage of last season's embarrassing exit from the competition.

That disappointing campaign was only the third time in 17 years United have been dumped out of the group stages. This was largely due to calamitous home draws with Benfica and FC Basel, and Ferguson insisted their form at Old Trafford will be crucial in his attempt to secure his third Champions League trophy.

Robin van Persie is expected to start for United as Ferguson prepares to opt for a strong starting XI, despite the prospect of the trip to Liverpool four days later. "I think we all agree that we were careless in two of the games at home last season," he said.

"Having to go there [Basel] and get a result, we were chasing our tail a bit so that was disappointing. Hopefully our home form, as it has been for many years, will be good again.

"I made that point when we got the draw that we don't want to be as -careless as we were last year and the team I choose tonight will reflect that. Over the past few years the group stages have been very straightforward for us so it gave me the opportunity to play a lot of young players but I'll be playing a more experienced team tomorrow."

Ferguson is still considering whether to play either David De Gea or Anders Lindegaard in goal, but has claimed it is his defence that will be pivotal in his hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are both expected to miss at least the next month, adding to the apparent curse that has afflicted Ferguson's defenders over the past three years, so the presence of Nemanja Vidic will be crucial as United attempt to avoid another humiliating season in the competition.

"We have had a really rough ride with defenders being injured for the last two or three years but if they remain fit it definitely gives us a -better opportunity," he said. "If I was guaranteed two of those [centre-halves] being fit for the rest of the season I'd take that gladly right now but it's not been the case."