It is crazy to believe that this is even being debated, but such has been the dip in form of Manchester United’s left-back Patrice Evra the question has to be raised, has he become a liability?
Two years ago, in both the Premier League and the Champions League, Patrice Evra was thought of as Manchester United’s most consistent players. Clearly the player has not lost any ability, but there has been a change in his mentality. Is his mentality right to lead Manchester United into a Champions League semi final and two crucial games against Arsenal and Chelsea?
The Champions League semi final second leg against Chelsea was a game in which Manchester United were comfortable, even with the second half introduction of Didier Drogba. Patrice Evra found himself out of position on so many occasions, Drogba was able to roll of the full back very easily, something that led to Chelsea’s goal at Old Trafford. Last season in the Champions League quarter final first leg, Evra was found wanting against Bayern Munich. Against lesser opposition in a less important fixture you can sometimes excuse such sloppiness, however these are big games. Manchester United need their back four to be switched on in these high pressure games – is Evra letting the side down?
It is an argument that seems a little flawed.
Patrice Evra is still one of the best full backs going forward. He is constantly bombing up and down the line, looking to drive Manchester United forward, and that part of his game hasn’t changed too much over the years. However, unlike Ashley Cole, it seems as though Patrice Evra has lost a certain amount of confidence in the defensive aspect of his game. Very rarely would you see Evra diving in at wingers, but nowadays it is the norm. A fair excuse for his dip in form would be what happened at the World Cup and his subsequent suspension from the France national team. His mind at the start of the season could have been all over the place, something Sir Alex Ferguson must have been wary of. However, he has got himself back into the France team and you would feel whatever happened at the World Cup is now behind him.
Manchester United do not have a player that could replace Evra, and there are few players in Europe that are considered better than him. I am not for one minute arguing that Manchester United should replace the full back, merely that a bit of competition may bring Evra back to the level he set himself. There is no doubt that his standards have dropped this season and he must improve. Manchester United are not carrying Evra yet, but in a consistent back four he is looking ragged as we approach the end of the season.
As it stands he is still at a level where he is a first choice player. However, if he continues to perform like he did against Chelsea and yesterday evening against Manchester City, a player that is now 30 may not be considered as indispensable as he once was.
Piece courtesy of Tom Costello from This Is Futbol
This is something I alluded to in my brief analysis of the game yesterday, Evra seems a step behind. Whilst this piece notes the fiasco at the World Cup it doesn’t account for the sheer volume of games he has played. I agree that he doesn’t need replacing, he is still one of if not the best left back in the world but just needs to recharge his batteries.
In terms of no competition, Fabio is an option to consider if we are going to rest him or hopefully we can bring Rafael back in when he is fit and give John O’Shea a spell at left back. This is all easy to say though in the midst of a tight title run in and in the Champions League semi final it is not the time to start experimenting. Summer can’t come quick enough for Pat it seems. – Chudi
He has had a clear dip in form and has been making simple mental errors in some important games for United this season
All season he hasn’t been playing at the high standard we r used to from him. United have conceded quite a few goals cos his mistakes.
Could it be that he is attacking more than he used to?
Maybe he has played too many games and needs a rest.
Can’t still use the excuse of the World Cup, it was ages ago!
I think he needs to rest…
Almost 100 games in all competitions for united in less than two seasons might be asking too much from a player who is not as young as he once was (Although, no on is as young as they once were)
Fabio should get more chances in the left fullback position and Evra should get a sorely needed rest to return to become the best left back in football.
The short answer for such a question is yes. Yes Pat has let his guard down. Yes Pat has been nothing like the player we know and yes Pat needs a rest. Evra is ever so lethal going forward, nowadays I pray he just stays at left back. I can only assume after the summer brake he’ll be back to his usual self.
Evra may be experiencing a dip in form but his value to Utd cannot be underestimated. It is patently clear from recent interviews how much he understands what wearing the shirt means, that must be taken into consideration, must be an example to younger players. Cliche, but form is temporary, class is permanent. He’ll come good and I agree with something already said, he needs a rest. We must believe in him.
agree 100percent with this article..He concentrates on attacking too much..and when we or himslef loses possession if you watch him closely he merely jogs back into position. Lazy. Maybe put young fabio or oshea at left back for few weeks that may get him thinking a bit. On his day he is one of the worlds best, but laziness/complacency is kicking in..it’s to easy for him to retain his position and it shouldnt be.
I’ve been saying this since last season, and every time I mentioned Evra, I was ridiculed. Yes, his performance level has dropped. Significantly. Defensively, he’s very shaky and mistake-prone, offensively he isn’t the player he used to be. He’s still decent on the attack, but not as good as he was.
He just doesn’t seem to be the player he was two seasons ago, and I’m not sure why. It could be his age, he no longer could bomb up and down the wing as he did two years ago; maybe. It could be his confidence level isn’t as it was.
There could be many reasons, but I think it’s plain complacency. I think he needs to have some competition for his place, let him feel he NEEDS to perform. Give Fabio or O’shea a chance at left-back, threaten his place. Maybe that could spur him to perform better ?!
TB9, really, you thought he didn’t play well last year? He was terrific, though he did start to burn out towards the very end. This year there is little doubt though that there is a dip in form. I think I said at the beginning of the year that we should be using Fabio more regularly at LB at not continue to play Evra in 95% of matches.
I know Fergie’s squad rotation mentality does not apply to defense, but he needs to start considering it a little more, at least for full backs. I hope the same mistake isn’t made next year, but even this season, Fabio should be put into at least a couple league games to ensure Evra is at no less than 100% in the CL. Fergie generally lives out his motto of trusting players, but he needs to apply it a bit more to Fabio whom I feel has earned it.