Wednesday night will see Luis Suarez write the latest chapter in a rivalry with Manchester United which stretches back more than a decade.
The Uruguayan is set to start for Atletico Madrid as they welcome the Red Devils to the Wanda Metropolitano in the first leg of the Champions League last-16.
Suarez, who spent three-and-a-half seasons with United’s arch-rivals Liverpool will be tasked with adding to the solitary European goal he has scored in six fixtures so far this season.
However, coming off the back of a goal against Osasuna at the weekend, the veteran striker would love nothing more than to get one over his old foes.
Ahead of the resumption of hostilities, Mirror Football has taken a look at the bitter rivalry between the enigmatic forward and the Premier League ’s most successful club.
“He could have caused a riot”
In just his second appearance facing off against United, an incident which has subsequently clouded much of Suarez’s career occurred.
During a 1-1 draw at Anfield on October 15 2011, the then Liverpool striker was alleged to have racially abused United defender Patrice Evra.
Following an investigation by the Football Association, Suarez was found guilty and banned for eight Premier League matches.
Controversy surrounded Liverpool’s response to the incident, which saw them wear shirts supporting the suspended Suarez prior to a home fixture with Wigan in December of that year.
Ironically, the first game following his ban was against Manchester United at Old Trafford on February 11, 2012.
Tensions were already high before Suarez made the decision to snub Evra’s attempt at a pre-match handshake. The Frenchman had diplomatically offered his hand ahead of kick-off, only for his counterpart to continue moving down the line.
It sparked a furious reaction from Evra’s team-mates who were inspired to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford, allowing Evra his moment to celebrate in the face of Suarez.
Speaking after the game, Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into the former Ajax man, claiming his conduct was unbecoming for a Liverpool player.
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"He's a disgrace to Liverpool Football Club, that type of player should not be allowed to play for Liverpool again," fumed Ferguson.
"The history that club has got and he goes and does that in a situation like today - he could have caused a riot.
"I was really disappointed, that was terrible what he did."
The Man Utd clause
In the preceding years following the Evra incident, Suarez would go on to become one of the best players in the world before swapping Liverpool for Barcelona in 2014.
His final Premier League clash against United came in March of that year, when he scored the clinching third in a memorable 3-0 victory away from home.
And although he failed to bring the title back to Merseyside, he was crowned as the league’s outstanding player before moving to the Camp Nou.
In his six seasons in Catalonia, Suarez’s reputation as one of the game’s top marksmen was enhanced further, recording 198 goals in six trophy-laden campaigns.
However, it would end on a sour note with the Blaugrana, with Ronald Koeman making the decision to move on from him at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
He would ultimately join Atletico, but only after he was extensively linked with returning to the Premier League.
A move to United was never on the table however, after it was revealed there was a clause in his contract which prohibited such a move.
Simply put, it prevented the Uruguay international from being able to sign for a host of big clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona included the clause to prevent a rich club from stealing one of their prized assets, like when Neymar left for PSG.
Suarez and United’s last two No.7s
Having worn the iconic number 7 during his time at Anfield, Suarez has now spent the latter period of his career as one of the most feared number 9s in European football.
He also possesses a couple of links to the last pair of players to wear the Manchester United number 7 jersey.
Edinson Cavani, who was handed the shirt at the start of last campaign, has been one of Suarez’s most prolific strike partners, linking together to score more than a hundred goals for the national team.
The two have played 89 games together, helping La Celeste to the Copa America in 2011. There is a feeling that with one of the most celebrated duos in recent history, Uruguay could have won more, but there is undoubtedly huge mutual respect between the pair.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to take Cavani’s number following his return to the club from Juventus. And having been on opposite sides in LaLiga for the best part of a decade, he is all too aware of the threat Ronaldo could offer during the two legs.
“He continues to show what kind of player he is. At United he is a more than important piece and you always have to be careful with that kind of player,' he explained following the draw in December.
