Patrice Evra considers Juventus’ Champions League hope, trying to convince Paul Pogba to stay at Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence.
The Frenchman is back in Italian football for a second time in his career, following a summer move from Old Trafford.
It was a move that two years before his compatriot Pogba made, very much against the Red Devils’ intentions.
Patrice Evra considers Juventus’ Champions League hope, trying to convince Paul Pogba to stay at Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson’s influence.
The Frenchman is back in Italian football for a second time in his career, following a summer move from Old Trafford.
It was a move that two years before his compatriot Pogba made, very much against the Red Devils’ intentions.
Considering that decision taken by the now 21-year-old, Evra has reflected on his view from the middle.
“‘La Pioche’ is like a son to me,” the full-back has commented to La Repubblica today.
“Sir Alex Ferguson sent me to his house to convince him to stay [at Manchester United] – he wept, he did not sleep, because he know that he could become better than Vieira, but he had decided.
“Ferguson knew that Pogba would become very strong, but also that he could not force the issue.”
Evra spent eight years at United, seven of which came under Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Ferguson was at the heart of everything, he made sure that United was a family with a culture, a philosophy – we won for this, not because we were the most talented.
“I also say this of the Glazers – it takes a family, one that respects the history of the club, who feels the pressure of the past.
“I have suffered a lot for David Moyes, a great person, but even with Ryan Giggs [as caretaker at the end of last season] things were different.
“Now there are so many strong players, but I do not know if they are for Manchester – for this club you have to sacrifice everything. That is the culture that I had rediscovered at Juve.”
With the Bianconeri, focus this term is on whether or not they can do better in the Champions League than previous years.
“I live in the present, because the past is a door to regrets and the future is one to anxiety. And I do not sell dreams to the fans, but, why not?
“It’s a competition that is so crazy that is seems incredible to have played in four finals.”