United ´deplore´ anti-Liverpool chants

Manchester United have condemned the anti-Liverpool chant sung by a portion of their fans at Old Trafford on Saturday.

A small number of home supporters were heard singing ‘Always the victims, it’s never your fault’ during the club’s 4-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

The news comes just three days after the release of the Hillsborough report, which cleared Liverpool supporters of any blame in the 1989 tragedy in which 96 supporters died.

In a statement, United said: “The club deplore it. The manager has made the club’s position very clear on this matter.

“It is now up to the fans to respect that.”

The two clubs have historically had a bitter rivalry with both teams enjoying large periods of dominance at the top of the English game.

United and Liverpool face each other at Anfield next week and Sir Alex Ferguson said on Friday that he is hopeful of an end to the hostilities which have known to tarnish the relationships between the two clubs.

“We are two great clubs, ourselves and Liverpool,” he said.

“We should understand each other’s problems. Maybe a line will be drawn in the sand in terms of their behaviour towards each other.”

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) on Saturday also called for an end to the chants.

“Following this week’s developments and release of revelatory information on the Hillsborough tragedy, MUST wishes to make it absolutely clear that just as we condemn chants mocking the Munich air disaster we also condemn any chants relating to Hillsborough or indeed any other human tragedy,” MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said.

“We did hear the usual anti-Liverpool chants at the match today but we’re pleased to say, despite some reports to the contrary, there was nothing that was specifically referencing Hillsborough.

“Any attempt to suggest otherwise is irresponsible given the forthcoming fixture between the clubs and furthermore risks needlessly upsetting the bereaved families further at a time when they are understandably trying to find closure.

“We enjoy a fierce rivalry but these issues transcend that rivalry.

“We agree 100 percent with the statement made by Sir Alex Ferguson – this is the time for supporters of these two great clubs to represent their clubs with the integrity and honour that our glorious history demands.”