Evra threw up, got head cut open and had Sir Alex hairdryer on Man Utd debut

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Patrice Evra has revealed his Manchester United career got off to the worst possible start, as he threw up and had his head cut open along with losing the Manchester derby.

Evra joined United in 2006, and went on to have a brilliant career at Old Trafford, winning 14 trophies in an eight-year stint with the Red Devils. The Frenchman arrived at United with a lot of promise, after helping former side Monaco reach the Champions League final in 2004.

However, although it ultimately worked out for Evra, life at United couldn't have started much worse for the defender. He vomited, suffered an injury, received the famous Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer treatment and lost to Manchester City.

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Evra's first game for United was the Manchester derby, and although it's always been a big game, it didn't use to be as competitive as it's grown to become. Back then, City were a mid-table side yet to receive the vast riches that came their way.

United were always expected to win, which is why their 3-1 defeat on Evra's debut was a huge shock at the time, which didn't work in the Frenchman's favour. It was a nightmare result for Evra, but it turns out he had an awful morning before the game, as he was throwing up.

"My first game was a disaster," Evra told Betfair. "I remember we played against City… we talked before the interview [about how] I'm not a breakfast fan.

"[At] nine in the morning, I saw my fellow teammates – Louis Saha, Mikael Silvestre – eating pasta, eating beans… so I start eating my breakfast. I was feeling really full and I went into my room and I puked – I puked all my food. I was sweating and feeling sick.

"And I just had like three training sessions with my teammates. I came in the January. Imagine me being in Monte Carlo, nice and sunny. Arriving in January in Manchester was a massive change for myself."

But Evra's day got worse, as he was cut during a challenge with Trevor Sinclair, and was taken off at half-time by a furious Sir Alex Ferguson. "After the first five minutes I played against Trevor Sinclair," adds Evra. "I was cut here [on the head] I remember I was against the post and you know when you're talking to yourself, I was like 'what the hell am I doing here?'

"The football was so fast, so strong. I was chilling in Monte Carlo – I was named the best left-back four times. I was thinking I'd made it, that I was a big player. Then at half-time, that's the first time I was introduced to the hairdryer by Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He destroyed everyone and he came to me and said, 'You're going to sit next to me and you're going to learn English football'. I've played for the French national team, I've been in the final of the Champions League – and on my first game I've been subbed after 45 minutes.

"This was a big wake up call for me. I always say it's one of my favourite moments because you know when you think you're a big player, my feet just get straight away down to Earth and say, 'OK – now I have to work hard'."

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  • Manchester City FC
  • Manchester United FC
  • Premier League
  • Sir Alex Ferguson

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