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Fergie left out Evra due to 'emotional week'

Patrice Evra took personal delight in beating Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday © Getty Images

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed he left Patrice Evra out of the squad's Europa League trip to Ajax due to the emotions he had gone through in the build-up to the Liverpool game last weekend.

The Old Trafford spotlight was on Evra and Luis Suarez, whom the United man had previously accused of racial abuse, leading to an eight-match ban. Suarez subsequently refused to shake the hand of Evra, but the Frenchman had the last laugh when United won the game 2-1.

Suarez later issued an apology to Evra for his actions, as did Liverpool Football Club, and Ferguson admitted the week had taken its toll on his left-back.

"We have rested Patrice," said Ferguson. "It has been an emotional week for him and it is the right thing to do."

The idea was pitched to Ferguson that, with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov also left out, that he was taking victory for granted against former European champions Ajax.

"You've got that wrong," replied Ferguson. "Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov are injured. You can see the list of players I have, apart from the fact [Chris] Smalling, [Nemanja] Vidic and [Darren] Fletcher are still injured, it's a strong squad of players I've got."

The United boss also spoke of his relief that Liverpool had decided to close the matter over Evra and Suarez with their apology for the Uruguayan's behaviour. Ferguson had labelled Suarez a "disgrace to Liverpool Football Club", but feels now that the two clubs can finally move on.

"We are all delighted that we have put the matter to an end," Ferguson said. "The two clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool, have too much great history and great rivalry. That is what we are going to concentrate on in the future.

"Both sets of supporters should be pleased and delighted that all we are going to talk about is who is going to win the game. Sometimes we will lose to Liverpool, sometimes we will win. But one thing you cannot take away is that both of us need each other."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.