Patrice Evra reveals he knew United's stars 'would eat Moyes alive'

Patrice Evra reveals he knew Man United’s stars ‘would eat David Moyes alive’ after he ‘asked them to teach him to win’, as he opens up on Old Trafford life – and wanting to leave after just 18 months

  • Patrice Evra has opened up about his career in his new book, I Love This Game
  • The 40-year-old has lifted the lid on life with David Moyes at Manchester United
  • The Frenchman also reveals his fury at missing out on the 2007 FA Cup final 

Patrice Evra has opened up on the moment he first thought David Moyes was going to be ‘eaten alive’ at Manchester United after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson as manager.

Moyes took on the daunting task of following one of the most prestigious managers in the history of the game in 2013 but didn’t last the season at Old Trafford.

Now at West Ham, Moyes has done an impressive job in east London and Evra isn’t surprised to see the Scot doing well.

Patrice Evra has opened up on his glittering career in his new book I Love This Game

Evra claims Davis Moyes told the United squad that they must show him how to win

Evra said he knew from that moment that Moyes would be ‘eaten alive’ at United

Evra’s book, I Love This Game, is released on October 28

But he still recoils upon remembering one of his first team-talks at United.

Speaking to The Times, where he is previewing his new book I Love This Game, Evra said: ‘ I’m not surprised Moyes is doing well at West Ham. I know how much the players like him. 

‘But when he came to Old Trafford and said; “Guys, I know you win everything and you will have to teach me,” I was like, oh my God you should never do that, they are going to eat you alive.’

Moyes won 27 of his 51 games at the helm of United, losing 15 and drawing nine. But while Evra enjoys a blossoming relationship with Moyes’s predecessor Ferguson, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing between the two.

Evra was dropped by Ferguson for the 2007 FA Cup final against Chelsea, which the London side won 1-0 after extra-time with Didier Drogba scoring four minutes before the game would have gone to penalties.

‘That was really painful,’ Evra said. “The only trophy I didn’t win in England was the FA Cup, so it was even worse. 

Evra has a close relationship to Sir Alex Ferguson but in 2007 was raging at being dropped for the FA Cup final, which United eventually lost 1-0 against Chelsea

It was a day to forget all round for United as they were defeated 1-0 by Chelsea at Wembley

Evra said that he didn’t even shake hands with Ferguson because of how upset he felt

‘I couldn’t help the team. I warmed up for 80 minutes. I was close to ending my career with Manchester United. 

‘I didn’t shake hands with Alex Ferguson after. I am happy to die in the battle, but I have to be in the battle.’

Evra, now 40, ended up staying at United for another seven years, eventually departing for Juventus in 2014. 

He won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup and three League Cups during his time in Manchester.

He later had spells with Marseille and West Ham before eventually announcing his retirement in 2019.

I Love This Game by Patrice Evra, to be published by Simon & Schuster on October 28 at £20 




Share this article


Source: Read Full Article