Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has declared that Luis Suarez is a player who thrives on controversy ahead of this weekend's clash with Liverpool.

Suarez has enjoyed a superb goalscoring season at Anfield and trails Robin van Persie by just one strike in the race for the golden boot.

Ferguson insisted that he did not see Suarez score in controversial fashion at Mansfield last weekend but believes that the Uruguayan forward draws motivation from any negative headlines.

He told reporters: "I didn't see the Mansfield game, so it's difficult to say if it was deliberate or not.

"But I think the lad is laden with controversy. I don't know if he enjoys it or not.

"I just hope we don't suffer from some of the decisions that went Suarez's way on Sunday."

United head into Sunday's match against the Reds with a seven-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.