UNITED WELCOME SCOUSE RAGS

In an effort to promote goodwill between the two sets of supporters, Manchester United will allow Liverpool's travelling fans to drape the Old Trafford concourse with banners and flags during Sunday's Premiership clash.

Recent meetings between the two sides have been marred by violence with Liverpool supporters showering United fans with objects, including human excrement, during their FA Cup fifth-round tie at Anfield in February.

United thugs responded in April by displaying offensive banners – some with insults about the Hillsborough tragedy – on bridges over the M62 aimed at Liverpool supporters travelling to Old Trafford for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.

During that match, Liverpool fans daubed slogans about the Munich air crash inside the stadium and smashed toilets.

Against this backdrop of hate, United and Liverpool have come up with a series of initiatives to try to calm the tensions around the fixture.

The most notable is an agreement to allow flags and banners carrying pro-Liverpool messages to be displayed inside the stadium. The banners will be checked by Liverpool officials beforehand.

Former Liverpool striker Roger Hunt has been invited to appear alongside Sir Bobby Charlton during a presentation to mark the United legend's 50th anniversary since making his debut for the club.