Patrice Evra will not be spared when Manchester United travel to take on bitter rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round, assistant manager Mike Phelan has said (Liverpool 6/4 draw 11/5 Manchester United 6/4 – match prices).

The France full-back will be making his first appearance at Anfield on Saturday since the fall-out from the race allegations he made against Luis Suarez, who is serving an eight-match ban.

The Premier League champions have twice wrapped striker Wayne Rooney in cotton wool and spared him running the gauntlet at his old club Everton, but Phelan insists Evra will play if he is passed fit.

“It wouldn’t be a consideration,” said Phelan. “Patrice Evra is a football player who plays for Manchester United.

“If he is fit, he is considered to play like any other player.”

On the Suarez affair, Phelan added: “What has happened has happened. What has been said has been said.

“You are talking about a football match now and I think it will be a very good FA Cup tie.”

Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young, Michael Owen and long-term absentees Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic will all miss the lunchtime showdown, while Nani, Rooney, Evra and Michael Carrick are carrying knocks and Phil Jones has torn ankle ligaments (Manchester United 11/2 – FA Cup outright).