Patrice Evra

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Patrice Evra
United beat off fierce competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan to secure the services of French full-back Patrice Evra on 10 January 2006.
The defender's arrival, just days after Nemanja Vidic’s capture, signalled Sir Alex Ferguson's intention to shore up his defence, which had suffered in the long-term absence of Gabriel Heinze.

Although only 24 when he joined the Reds, Evra had already been capped five times for France. He had been club captain at Monaco, where he established himself as a quick, committed, attack-minded player, also capable of playing at left-midfield.

Evra started his career in Italy after a scout from Masala spotted him in Les Ulis, the same tough suburb of Paris where Thierry Henry grew up. After one season in Serie C1, he moved up to Serie B by joining Monza. In 2000, Nice brought him home to France and converted him from left-winger to left-back. After two seasons he was snapped up by Monaco.

He again had little trouble adjusting to the bigger stage; he was a French League Cup winner in 2003. He then helped Monaco to the 2004 UEFA Champions League final before losing 3-0 to Porto. Patrice cites his first boss at Monaco, Didier Deschamps, as a big influence. "He transmitted to me the bug of winning at any
price.”

After a mixed start to life at United, having joined midway through a difficult season, Patrice showed his best form during 2006/07 as the Reds won the Premier League title. The French defender's extra gym time paid off as he came to terms with the physical demands of playing in England, and he notched his first Premier League and UEFA Champions League goals against Everton and Roma respectively. His part in United's successful season was recognised by a slot in the 2006/07 PFA Team of the Season, as voted by his Premier League peers.

Patrice made the left-back berth his own during 2007/08, missing only eight games in the triumphant Premier League and UEFA Champions League campaigns. The Frenchman's form and fitness were crucial to the parsimony of the defence, and he brought balance and abundant energy to the Reds' fluid, attacking wing play, even if he did not score any goals himself in a glorious season.

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