Arthur Albiston has backed Patrice Evra to see off the threat of Alexander Buttner, after the Dutch left back was brought in this summer to provide competition.
It is widely thought that Evra has somewhat been on the wane in recent seasons with mistakes creeping into his game, his slip allowed Southampton to get their second in our 3-2 win 2 weeks ago.
With Fabio out on loan and left back not being the natural positions of Jonny Evans and Robbie Brady, Sir Alex took steps to bring in some real cover for Evra in the form of Vitesse Arnhem’s Alexander Buttner but whilst his arrival places Evra’s place in the starting XI under threat, Albiston believe’s Evra still has enough to see off the challenge as he told the MEN:
“No matter how great a servant Patrice has been, everyone knows Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t pick his team on sentiment. He may well have made the position his own but if his form doesn’t return then there is a chance Buttner could get a go.
“But I still think the new guy will have to be very patient because, even though it still hasn’t been a great start to the season by Patrice, I think he will find his level again.
“Buttner is for the future and Patrice is still the man for the present.”
The full interview can be read here as Albiston speaks on how World Cup 2010 and the Luis Suarez incident will have affected the French left back.