On this day in 2006, Patrice Evra arrived in England to launch a hugely successful eight-and-a-half-year spell with Manchester United. Ferguson said at the time: “Patrice is a good age and is still developing as a player, which is always exciting. Patrice Evra, right, alongside Javier Hernandez, left, and Edwin Van Der Sar (PA)“We have been monitoring him all season and it is fantastic that he is joining Manchester United.”United were ultimately rewarded handsomely for their investment. Evra made his debut in a 3-1 derby defeat at Manchester City on January 14, 2006 and in all made almost 400 appearances for the club, winning five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup along the way. Patrice Evra enjoyed a successful spell with Manchester United (Martin Rickett/PA)The defender believed he had a gentlemen’s agreement with chief executive Ed Woodward that he could leave the club for family reasons, only for United to announce they had taken up a one-year option on his contract.

Source: Express January 10, 2021 06:00 UTC