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There’s been as much talk about handshakes in football as actual football itself in recent weeks, but it’ll be put to an end on Sunday if Alex Ferguson has his way.

Ahead of the Chelsea v Manchester United clash at Stamford Bridge, there has been plenty of speculation about whether or not Rio Ferdinand would shake the hand of the man accused of racially abusing his younger brother.

Unlike last weekend, when Terry was conveniently spared humiliation by the FA who decided to forego the handshake procedure, normal service will resume and the players will participate in the ritual pre-game handshake before kick-off.

Terry mightn’t even play this weekend because of a (potentially fabricated) knee injury, but Fergie is adamant that even if the ex-England captain  – in case you hadn’t heard, he has been stripped of the honour … again – does line-out, any potential feud between himself and Ferdinand shouldn’t be an issue.

"John Terry might not play but I would have a word with Rio about the situation," Ferguson said.

"Rio has been fighting racism for many years and the lad must rise above it. It doesn't detract from anything to shake John Terry's hand. He (Ferdinand) has done nothing to be ashamed of."

The elder Ferdinand has not publicly commented on the matter, but tweeted a message yesterday which was almost certainly related to the fact that Terry’s case was delayed until after the European Championships in July.

"I feel insulted," Ferdinand tweeted. "Woke up with a bad taste in my mouth, it's a goddamn joke!"

With Luis Suarez set to visit Old Trafford in his first game back from an eight game suspension for alleged racial abuse of Patrice Evra next weekend, the racism issue is set to rumble on for a while yet, but Ferguson is insistent that such a big deal shouldn’t be made over a handshake in the first place.

"Patrice Evra has already shown the courage to fight it (racism) by complaining about it," Ferguson said. "It is nothing to be ashamed of. There is not a problem shaking hands.

"The handshake started with Sky. There is nothing wrong with it," he added.

"It is only a handshake. There have been plenty of examples of players shaking hands whilst saying you won't be shaking my hand at the end. Football is football. It is a competitive game."

When Fergie talks, his players usually listen, lest they be subjected to the infamous hairdryer treatment.

As a result, we don’t expect there to be any unnecessary controversy at the Bridge on Sunday afternoon.