carlyluvsunited
24-11-2007, 07:06 PM
EVRA'S DEBT TO NICE COACH
Patrice Evra admits he would probably never have played for Manchester United
had it not been for Sandro Salvioni.
The little-known Italian coach was in charge of Nice during the 2000-01 campaign
as Evra tried to make his mark on the left wing.
During a late-season injury crisis Salvioni ordered Evra to play in defence, much to
the player's annoyance.
Despite frequent rows over the issue, Evra ended up getting a move to Monaco
on the back of his impressive performances, featuring in a Champions League
final before arriving at Old Trafford in a £5million deal during the 2006 January
transfer window.
"When I first started out, I was an attacker," he recalled.
"One day, when I was at Nice, the coach asked me to play left-back. I told him he
was mad - so he told me I would be out of the team if I didn't.
"Thankfully it worked out because it enabled me to join Manchester United
because one of the things Sir Alex Ferguson said to me when I arrived was that
he liked my attacking play.
"First and foremost, I do now think of myself as a defender but I still like to go
forward when I get the chance."
Indeed, Evra has featured on the left wing at times for United this season and is
not averse to occupying the position again if required.
Certainly, it appears the Senegal-born player will be with the Red Devils for a long
time to come, Ferguson revealing he will be the next United player to sign a
contract extension following the recent deals for Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea.
"My agent knows the situation, so I am just leaving it up to him and Manchester
United," said Evra.
"In the meantime, I will just try to do my best and respect the shirt.
"I love to play for this club. It is a privilege to be a Manchester United player."
Evra is still to be told whether his services will be required on Tuesday when
United resume their Champions League campaign against Sporting Lisbon at Old
Trafford.
Ferguson's men are already assured of their place in the knock-out phase after
four successive victories, with the only battle now remaining being for top spot
with the final opponents Roma.
Elimination from the first stage of the Carling Cup saw many of United's
youngsters leave on loan.
But Evra recognises it is a perfect opportunity for the likes of Gerard Pique, Danny
Simpson, Chris Eagles and Dong Fangzhuo to further their education.
"It is a good opportunity for the younger players and because of what happened
in the Carling Cup, the boss might want to change the team a bit," he said.
"But no matter who is in the team, they still need to go out and respect the shirt
and play well against Sporting Lisbon.
"We might have qualified already but you still need to give 100%."
www.sportinglife.co.uk
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Patrice Evra admits he would probably never have played for Manchester United
had it not been for Sandro Salvioni.
The little-known Italian coach was in charge of Nice during the 2000-01 campaign
as Evra tried to make his mark on the left wing.
During a late-season injury crisis Salvioni ordered Evra to play in defence, much to
the player's annoyance.
Despite frequent rows over the issue, Evra ended up getting a move to Monaco
on the back of his impressive performances, featuring in a Champions League
final before arriving at Old Trafford in a £5million deal during the 2006 January
transfer window.
"When I first started out, I was an attacker," he recalled.
"One day, when I was at Nice, the coach asked me to play left-back. I told him he
was mad - so he told me I would be out of the team if I didn't.
"Thankfully it worked out because it enabled me to join Manchester United
because one of the things Sir Alex Ferguson said to me when I arrived was that
he liked my attacking play.
"First and foremost, I do now think of myself as a defender but I still like to go
forward when I get the chance."
Indeed, Evra has featured on the left wing at times for United this season and is
not averse to occupying the position again if required.
Certainly, it appears the Senegal-born player will be with the Red Devils for a long
time to come, Ferguson revealing he will be the next United player to sign a
contract extension following the recent deals for Nemanja Vidic and John O'Shea.
"My agent knows the situation, so I am just leaving it up to him and Manchester
United," said Evra.
"In the meantime, I will just try to do my best and respect the shirt.
"I love to play for this club. It is a privilege to be a Manchester United player."
Evra is still to be told whether his services will be required on Tuesday when
United resume their Champions League campaign against Sporting Lisbon at Old
Trafford.
Ferguson's men are already assured of their place in the knock-out phase after
four successive victories, with the only battle now remaining being for top spot
with the final opponents Roma.
Elimination from the first stage of the Carling Cup saw many of United's
youngsters leave on loan.
But Evra recognises it is a perfect opportunity for the likes of Gerard Pique, Danny
Simpson, Chris Eagles and Dong Fangzhuo to further their education.
"It is a good opportunity for the younger players and because of what happened
in the Carling Cup, the boss might want to change the team a bit," he said.
"But no matter who is in the team, they still need to go out and respect the shirt
and play well against Sporting Lisbon.
"We might have qualified already but you still need to give 100%."
www.sportinglife.co.uk
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php