Sir Alex Ferguson has called for an end to the hostility between Manchester United and Liverpool.

The clubs have a long and a bitter rivalry on and off the pitch but, following the release of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report that cleared Liverpool supporters of any blame in the 1989 tragedy in which 96 supporters lost their lives, Ferguson is keen for a better relationship and more friendly rivalry to develop.

"We are two great clubs, ourselves and Liverpool," Ferguson said on Friday. "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 fact we are playing them after the findings we have been reading about in the last couple of days does bring a focus to it. Both clubs have suffered fatalities through football. You hope that fans do behave themselves and support their team and that will be the end of it."

Manchester United play at Anfield next weekend and will be hoping for none of the controversy of last season.

Luis Suárez was banned for eight matches after racially abusing Patrice Evra when the sides met last October at Anfield. The Liverpool forward then refused to shake the defender's hand before the game at Old Trafford in February, sparking an ill-tempered game that United won 2-1.

United are at home to Wigan Athletic on Saturday and United have Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa fit. Darren Fletcher, who has been plagued by a chronic bowel condition, is also available. "Darren Fletcher is in the squad, to give him a boost," Ferguson said. "At this moment in time everything looks fine."

Phil Jones, though, will be out for eight to 10 weeks, the manager said, after sustaining a knee injury in training last weekend.