Sir Alex: Liverpool vs Man Utd the biggest game

Sir Alex Ferguson thinks any match between Liverpool and Manchester United is bigger than the classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Sir Alex thinks the battle between North England's two giants is the biggest in the world.

This weekend, Liverpool host Manchester United at Old Trafford and Kenny Dalglish takes on his old friend and rival Alex Ferguson.

"You know the difference - Barcelona's one end of the country, Madrid the other," Ferguson said. "The fans don't travel [in Spain].

"The only game that can rival United-Liverpool is Rangers-Celtic.

"I have always considered it to be the game of the season in English football.

"That [hostility] is never going to change but I think both clubs need each other.

"The history both clubs have should be appreciated by both sets of fans.

"That's sometimes annoying when I hear silly chants about Munich, about Hillsborough, I don't think it does either club any good at all because, without each other, there wouldn't be the English league.

"If it came to a stage where fans were banned from each other's ground, it wouldn't really be the same game. We need each other in that respect.

"The respect, in terms of the history of both clubs, should be adhered to and hopefully we can see that because it's a fantastic occasion."