The Strange Decline Of Patrice Evra …
What does the future hold for Patrice Evra?
After winning plaudits as a skilful and adventurous fullback at Monoco, Evra lost form as his team slipped down the European rankings. Other stars from the 2004 Champions League finalists, such as Ludovic Giuly and Jerome Rothen, moved on to bigger clubs, leaving Evra marooned, his career in limbo.
The Senegal born defender seemed to have been given a lifeline when United beat off the advances of close Premiership rivals and paid £5 million pounds for the French international’s services.
‘Liverpool and Arsenal are great clubs but United is a completely different story,’ Evra revealed. ‘Inter were also trying to get me in the transfer window but there was only one club for me.’
Sir Alex Ferguson returned the compliment. ‘We’ve known about him for a long time and he has progressed every year,’ he said. ‘We’ve had an eye on him since Heinze was injured. He is naturally left-sided, very fast and a good footballer.’
The cheers soon turned to jeers when Evra made an unconvincing start away to Manchester City and was replaced at half time. The former Monaco star has hardly featured in the first team since.
Despite regular run outs in pre-season friendly matches, Evra must fear for his United future following the return to fitness of Gabriel Heinze, an automatic starter in Fergie’s defence and the decision by United to extend the contract of Mikael Silvestre.
Evra’s arrival was supposed to have opened the exit door for Silvestre. Lyon were poised to return the Frenchman home with a £2 million offer. Silvestre however, chose to stay at Old Trafford and rewarded Sir Alex with improved performances from the left back position to which he had been redeployed following the recruitment of the uncompromising Serbian central defender Nemanja Vidic.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s contract award to Silvestre may be a ruse to ensure a transfer fee when the player leaves Old Trafford, for Fergie can surely not have forgotten Silvestre’s frequent concentration lapses nor the schoolboy error that eased Chelsea to a comprehensive victory over United last April.
Meanwhile, Silvestre will fight Kieran Richardson and John O’Shea for the right to be considered deputy to Heinze, leaving Evra out in the cold. The 25 year old also has little chance of displacing Park Ji Sung, Richardson or Giggs for the wingback berth, should United adopt a changed formation.
Without an improbable turnaround, Evra’s career is going south at Old Trafford and represents yet another blemish on Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
