Birthdate : 15 May 1981

Birthplace : Dakar, Senegal

Position : Defender

Joined United : 10 Jan 2006

United Debut : 14 Jan 2006 v Manchester City (A)

International : France

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United beat off fierce competition from Liverpool, Arsenal and Inter Milan to secure the services of French full-back Patrice Evra on 10 January 2006.

The defender's arrival, just days after Nemanja Vidic’s capture, signalled Sir Alex Ferguson's intention to shore up his defence, which had suffered in the long-term absence of Gabriel Heinze.

Although only 24 when he joined the Reds, Evra had already been capped five times for France. He had been club captain at Monaco, where he established himself as a quick, committed, attack-minded player, also capable of playing at left-midfield.

Evra started his career in Italy after a scout from Masala spotted him in Les Ulis, the same tough suburb of Paris where Thierry Henry grew up. After one season in Serie C1, he moved up to Serie B by joining Monza. In 2000, Nice brought him home to France and converted him from left-winger to left-back. After two seasons he was snapped up by Monaco.

He again had little trouble adjusting to the bigger stage; he was a French League Cup winner in 2003. He then helped Monaco to the 2004 UEFA Champions League Final before losing 3-0 to Porto.

Patrice cites his first manager at Monaco, Didier Deschamps, as a big influence on his career, saying he “transmitted to me the bug of winning at any price.”

After a mixed start to life at United, having joined midway through a difficult season, Patrice showed his best form throughout the 2006/07 season as the Reds recovered the Premiership title.

The French defender's extra gym time paid off as he came to terms with the physical demands of playing in England, and he notched his first Premiership and Champions League goals against Everton and Roma respectively.

Evra's superb form was tempered by niggling injuries, but his part in United's successful season was recognised by a slot in the 2006/07 PFA Team of the Season, as voted by his Premiership peers.

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