Date: 9th December 2010 at 12:18pm
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Gabriel Obertan has impressed this season in his appearances for the first team.

After picking up an injury during United’s pre season tour of America, the young Frenchman took the opportunity to better adapt to life in England by hitting the gym and bulking up. It has paid off as he can be seen using his size all over the pitch to his advantage, something he had been criticised for previously.

Whilst he is getting into the swing of things now, it wasn’t always this easy and he himself stated playing in the reserves last term provided the impetus to drive him to up his performances as he always envisaged himself in the first team. Whilst his own determination to succeed has been a massive help, the Frenchman also credits one of his team mates specifically for helping him settle in and adapt to life at the club, Patrice Evra:

He has been absolutely key in my adaptation to life in England and at Manchester United. He is like a big brother to me. He is always around if I have a problem – I just have to call him – or if it’s on the pitch I can speak to him. We talk all the time. As well as the coaches and the manager, he’s the most important person to me at the club. He always gives advice after games, he is objective and if I’ve not played well he’ll tell me straight, which helps in aspects of my game that I need to improve. Even if I had a problem with something in life in general, he’s always willing to help. That’s important for a young player.

The friendship between the two is there to be seen on field and as a senior player it is expected that you help out with the younger lads but it appears that Evra has really taken Obertan under his wing and that the two have really struck up a relationship which is definitely beneficial in the development of a young player.

The rest of the interview can be read here on the official United site.

 

2 responses to ““He has been absolutely key in my adaptation to life in England and at Manchester United.””

  1. biz says:

    But do Obertan really takes Evra advices for better games? I dont believe coz to me he had one good game this season he makes mistake even in ayown goal and he just run unneccessarily as if he is not a player. Evra should advise him more then

  2. Pez says:

    I met Obertan last year when he was injured, he was watching a reserves match, he seems like a really nice guy.
    However about mention his ability, I can’t really see him ever being a key player, although I hope he does, I think he will be the replacement for Park, only a more developed version, he is stronger, quicker, better on the ball, more flair but his work rate is never going to match Park’s.