Evra: Seize the day

30/11/2011 09:30, Report by James Tuck

Patrice Evra has sounded a note of caution as United’s talented young players prepare to stake another claim for regular first-team action.

The likes of Ezekiel Fryers, Paul Pogba and Michael Keane featured against Leeds and Aldershot in the previous rounds of the Carling Cup and will be hoping to be involved tonight against Crystal Palace.

Whichever youngsters are picked, Evra wants them to make the most of their opportunity to impress Sir Alex Ferguson – and take nothing for granted.

The Frenchman said: "This is a big chance for them, but they have to be careful because Sir Alex gives you an opportunity and if you let him down, it’s difficult to get another one.

"This is the United way: if you play well, you’ll get another chance, but if you play only an average game, the boss will put you on the bench. There’s always someone ready to come in and try to do better than you.

"That’s why players must be ready to grasp the chance. Before the game they must think to themselves how lucky they are to be playing with the first team already."

Evra has nevertheless been impressed by what he has seen so far.

"I’m really proud and pleased because when you see these young players in action, you know United’s future is bright," he said.

"They’re doing a great job and Sir Alex deserves a lot of credit for that – he’s not afraid to play them in the Carling Cup."

source : Manutd

Evra takes the positives

"There's big frustration as I definitely wanted to finish that game being just two points behind Manchester City but the league is a marathon not a sprint."

- Patrice Evra

26/11/2011 18:34, Report by Adam Marshall

Patrice Evra is taking the positives from the disappointing 1-1 draw with Newcastle at Old Trafford.

Demba Ba's hotly-disputed penalty leveller was a source of great frustration for the home fans and players but the French full-back felt the side started to show some of the attacking sparkle that was so evident at the start of the season. Indeed, he is convinced if the champions keep playing in the same manner, then the title can be retained next May.

"I'm very frustrated we didn't win," Evra told MUTV. "I think we deserved the win. It's a draw but you have to take the positives and I think the manager has mentioned that as well. I think the team has not played that way for a long time and created so many chances. If you want to win the league, you have to score more goals.

"Against Arsenal, we created eight chances and scored eight. Today, we had maybe seven chances and only one goal. Sometimes, that's football - it's very strange. It's frustrating but it's a positive game for Manchester United.

"At the start of the season, we did very well - scored a lot of goals and conceded a lot of goals," he explained. "After the big accidents against City, when they scored six goals, we decided to defend better and we know, if we have a strong defence, we're going to win games. It's why we looked like the old United when winning 1-0 every time and winning the league in the end.

"Today, we looked more like we played at the beginning of the season and I know we're going to score more than one goal per game. There's big frustration as I definitely wanted to finish that game being just two points behind City but the league is a marathon not a sprint.

"There's a long way to go and I'm confident if the team keeps playing that well, I'm convinced we're going to win the league."

Evra was clearly disappointed with the penalty decision but refused to be too critical of referee Mike Jones, who took advice from his assistant before pointing to the spot.

"No, it wasn't a penalty," he stated. "I think it was a difficult decision against us but the referee was responsible and he went to see the linesman to say: 'Are you sure?' He said: 'Yes, it's a penalty' and the referee trusts his man. What can you say? We have to be more focused on how many chances we missed."

source : Manutd