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

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 04:35 EDT, 12 February 2012

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.

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-game ban. 

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Flash point: Suarez angers Evra by refusing to shake the Frenchman's hand

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.

Showdown: Suarez inflamed his row with Evra after rejecting his hand in the pre-match routine

Ultimate snub: Evra grabs Suarez after the Liverpool striker attempted to avoid him

Evra offered his hand to the Uruguay international but he bypassed the Frenchman and went straight to goalkeeper David de Gea.

Angered, Evra pulled Suarez back, dragging him by the arm and exchanging angry words.

Cool down: Referee Phil Dowd intervenes in his attempt to calm a furious Evra

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 squad towards the away dressing room.

Cauldron of hate: Suarez was jeered by the Old Trafford faithful as he warmed-up

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.

Head-to-head: Evra stares down Suarez as the rivals collide in the early moments of the match

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.'

Head-to-head: Emotions were running high at Old Trafford as the rivals clashed

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.'