Patrice Evra - Unsung Hero
The French International Full-Back
Most football fans, particularly those of United persuasion, will remember his notorious debut against NW rivals Manchester City in 2006. Evra had just arrived at Old Trafford and due to an injury to fans’ favourite Gabriel Heinze, Evra was thrown in at the deep end and asked to start the game. And what a shocker he had! By half time it seemed that Evra was simply too small to play in The Premiership. He was beaten in the air time and time again and City began to target him as the weak link in United’s defence. Fearing the worst, the United manager took Evra off at half-time and the expectation was that, ultimately, even a man of Fergie’s pride would have to admit that this signing had been a mistake.
Humble Beginings
The situation wasn’t helped by Evra’s subsequent complaints in the press that the weather in England was not at all to his taste. The prospects of him staying at Old Trafford for any length of time seemed remote at best. But it soon became apparent that Evra was not just another sulky middle class Frenchman who thought he was ‘ze best’ and England ‘ze pits’. Indeed, this was a guy accustomed to adversity. After growing up in a Senegalese family big enough to turn heads at The Guinness Book of Records HQ, Evra had learnt to take nothing for granted.
He worked hard, bulked up and started to show what he could do. He had pace to burn, a great touch and, due to his early years as a winger, was not afraid to get forward. A couple of months into his second at United, Evra’s performances became so eye-catching that Gabriel Heinze could no longer guarantee a place in the starting eleven. Whilst many fans thought Heinze had more substance than Evra as a defender, a growing throng of supporters wanted Evra in the team. After a couple serious injuries, Heinze was becoming scruffy and increasingly prone to error but, by contrast, Evra’s game was maturing by the week.
Evra The Superstar
Fast forward a couple of years and Evra has now become the unquestionable number one at Old Trafford, having won a battle with Heinze which resulted in the Argentinian leaving the club. Fergie seemed annoyed about the well-documented manner of his departure but in truth, the Scotsman has always kept the players that he really wants. And who in their right mind would take Heinze over Evra now? In fact, one would be hard pushed to find a better left back in Europe this season. Evra is a simply wonderful player who keeps United ticking. His pace and desire to get forward are balanced beautifully with an aggressive defensive instinct and an agility that keeps him out of trouble, even when he is caught in an advanced position. He adds a fluidity and attacking dimension to the team that is best illustrated when he is absent. Without him, United generally look a slower unit.
In two years, Evra has won over all his critics and become an essential part of the United machine. It is a testament to his commitment that no one ever mentions his height anymore. Whilst he may not have as many songs in his honour as some of the other players at Old Trafford, you can guarantee that when fit, he is one of the very first names on the team sheet.
“the star is not the player - it is the team."- Patrice Evra, 2007
Evra the genius
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