Ex-United Star recounts Ferguson's intense pressure to stop Messi, revealing the legendary manager's unique motivational tactics for big matches.
Patrice Evra wore the Manchester United jersey from 2006 to 2014. The former French left back was a Champions League winner (among other titles) with the Red Devils, sharing a locker room with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, and Roy Keane. He recently revisited that era, reflecting on how the relationship between the youngest squad members and the big stars has changed.
"Back in the day, the youngsters cleaned our boots, but it was a reward. If that were done today, they would call it slavery. It's a different education and different youngsters. In the past, we learned the hard way, and that's what we know and what makes us perform at the highest level," he said during an interview granted to The Telegraph.
Evra coincided with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. And he specifically referred to the Scottish manager to explain an anecdote about Leo Messi. "In front of the whole team, Ferguson started his talk like this: 'Boys, today is an important day and if we lose it will be Patrice's fault,' he said first.
'Patrice, I don't care if Messi is the best footballer in the world. I don't care. If we lose, if we don't manage to neutralize Messi, I'll blame you.' He knew me and knew how to handle me," Evra revealed about Ferguson's methods.
Retired since 2019, when he was 38, Patrice Evra has not yet leaped the sidelines. Instead, he has taken a liking to mixed martial arts and does not rule out stepping into the octagon at some point to fight. He was close to doing so last year in Paris, but the fight in question was canceled when his intended opponent withdrew. "I grew up watching Bruce Lee movies and practiced kickboxing as a kid.
People will say it's violence, but actually, mixed martial arts is a game of pursuit. It's about technique and how to grab your opponent. It's not about strength. A single mixed martial arts training session is like playing 90 minutes of football," Evra explained about his new hobby.
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