PATRICE EVRA HAS defended Manchester United’s style of play under Jose Mourinho, insisting “this is not the circus”.
The Marseille star returned to Old Trafford, where he played for eight-and-a-half years, for Michael Carrick’s testimonial on Sunday.
Evra, a Champions League winner with United in 2008, spoke of his continuing love for the club after the match and insisted critics should not be too negative about their current team.
Mourinho led United to the Europa League, sealing a return to the Champions League, as well as the EFL Cup in his first season as manager, but still saw his side’s style questioned as they slumped to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.
“This year they qualified for the Champions League and some people said they did not play good football, but we are not in the circus,” Evra said to MUTV.
“They have been criticised a lot. A lot of people are jealous about Man United so they just keep criticising, even when they win.
“If you want to enjoy football then, yes 2008 was great and different, but people have to forget that and concentrate on this current Manchester United team. That would be my message to the United fans.
“I always say, this is my home and I feel that way. Thanks to all the fans they are all amazing.
“For me it’s just a dream. Like I say I love Man United and I will always love Man United. It is not a fake love.
“We need to be behind Man United always when they win or lose. If you love Man United you should never criticise them, you need to support them. When a player has a bad game, the fans never boo him.”
Evra, 36, heaped praise on Carrick, who is one year his junior and remains a key part of United’s plans.
He also insisted he had no plans to stop playing himself and discussed what it was like to be managed by Alex Ferguson again in the testimonial clash, in which the United 2008 XI drew 2-2 with an All-Stars side.
“I think Michael Carrick is still an important player for Manchester United,” said Evra.
“I remember this season, whenever he was playing, he was always positive. Age is just a number. I hope he will play many more years.
“He will have to keep playing, like me! I still have 24 brothers and sisters to feed, so I can’t stop, I have to run!
“It is amazing to be back, thank you to Michael Carrick for inviting us. We should say thanks to God to have a happy moment like this.
“The manager told us before the game that this team is full of good men, good personalities. (He told us) “I want to say thank you to all of you, but the best thing is you are great human beings and good men and that’s the most important thing.”"
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
They just have realise they’re not the top team in England anymore,they had it good for so many years when no other team could compete with them financially
@Jamie: you’ve some warped view of the world
@Jamie: Do you not get bored of continually saying the same thing.
@Alex Olsen: denial is not a river in Egypt
@Jamie: United will win another league before liverpool.
@Bognor regis: what’s this got to do with Liverpool?
@Jamie: what has it got to do with a clubs finance then ? As a pool lover you are a complete butt munch
@The Chameleon: Jamie’s not a pool lover he’s a sh@t stirrer
@Jamie: anyone got a bib for the dribbler?
@Nollaig Elliot: interesting fact no club this century in world football have spent more money than Liverpool without winning a league title.
@Irishoversea: to be honest man I don’t care about clubs I don’t follow. This lad hiding behind all his aliases trolling people about a club he doesn’t support is quite pathetic really. Blowing bubbles day in day out kinda takes the craic out of the slagging. We all know he hates Man U. We get it.
@Jamie: haters gonna hate Jamie fook them. They had their ere. They will never have it again. Your spot on. Not a big club. Operating in debt and nearly a decade since last title.
@UK’s European #1: im a Liverpool fan but there’s no way you can say that united aren’t a big club!! Idiotic statement
@UK’s European #1: I’m assuming you don’t know what a decade is.
@Nollaig Elliot: just block the accounts he uses. All he wants is a reply or to be mentioned
@Irishoversea: Pay no attention to motely lads he is fresh from abusing the memory of the dead of Manchester. Dirty being. Anyways. United are no longer a big club as in dominating football matches. It’s over for good. As is for Liverpool. They are a big club financially as is every club considering the diamonds in the premiership. It’s not an insult it’s fact FFS. I went through it with pool dominating home and abroad. Although United only dominated at home it’s over. Klopp has dragged liverppol ahead of united. Salah and van Dyck confirmed and more to come. Lads seriously come on take the blinkers off FFS !
@UK’s European #1: I’m glad I haven’t blocked your new account as I can’t stop laughing, keep it up Marcus
@UK’s European #1: haha another Chelsea reject and a Southampton player
@Johnny Bravo: @Johnny Bravo: Schneiderlin and Mata?snd before you say it I’m not Europes best replying from another of his accounts
@UK’s European #1: I had no idea the world cup was every “nearly a decade” also. Thanks for giving us a maths lesson. You’re a very special boy aren’t you?
@Kurt Barlow: This is my only account Tabatha.van Dyck done. Salah done. Bertrand getting done. Lacazzette getting done. Keita and carvalho getting done. OUCHHHH
@UK’s European #1: LMAO ! the person being done is the one who pays for your psychologist sessions
@Jamie: but yet again you have …
@UK’s European #1: cool story there. Any United fan worth his salt knows they are not the team they once were. The Fergie days will never be again. But we all know that Joker Jaime or whatever his name is hates United, and that’s cool, but it doesn’t have to be emphasised daily. We know ffs.
@UK’s European #1: didn’t Van D sign for City?
@Nollaig Elliot: my bad, just read otherwise. Good signing. Klopp getting the shopping done early.
@Nollaig Elliot: yes Christmas you said it joker don’t take it too seriously
@Nollaig Elliot: it’s about time. If it was Ian Ayre and Rodgers they would of signed his sister. In all fairness if the 2 deals do go through i would be happy. But they can’t stop there. Another CDM needed. A quality one. And an out and out goal machine. United can go out and speed 100 million on one player and they will again. City aren’t finished either. They need to splash at least 200 million this summer at the very least. Great time of year all the same seeing who goes where and who spends what.
@Jamie: there is very little in this world I take seriously man. Bring a little banter to the table ffs. Same shite over and over.
@UK’s European #1: the coin being spent on players is a joke. Any PL club buying will have the prices inflated. Clubs know how much they have and will hike the price up. Pogba, Sterling and Stones to mention just a few. However, I think next season is gonna be the best in the PL. A lot of trophy winning managers with $$$ to spend should make for an entertaining season. Not to mention 5 PL teams in the CL.
It’s always a circus with Mourinho the clown in charge.
Wank3r