Manchester United: Au Revoir to a true legend

So, after all the toing and froing of the last few months, it’s finally official. Patrice Evra, a true legend of the modern game, is to sever ties with Manchester United after eight glorious years at the club.

The BBC reported on Monday afternoon:

Patrice Evra has completed a £1.2m move to Juventus from Manchester United.
The France left-back, 33, has signed a two-year contract with the Italian champions, ending his eight-and-a-half year stint at Old Trafford.

It’s a somewhat surprising move because Evra only signed a new, year long contract with Manchester United a few weeks ago.

At that point, it seemed as if the battle to keep Evra on as a tutor to the arriving Luke Shaw was won. The Frenchman would have been the perfect mentor for the young Englishman and still be able to play 20 to 30 games himself for Manchester United next season.

But, at 33 years of age, Evra obviously feels that he still has much more football to enjoy and a move to Italy seems to suit him.

Manchester United fans will be very sorry to see him leave, but also wish him the very best of luck in the future, because he has been one of the best players the club has ever seen.

And that really isn’t an exaggeration. While some would select Dennis Irwin as the best left-back to grace Manchester United, Evra had so much more going forward.

His slaloming runs up the flank became a feature of the last great Manchester United vintage which contested 3 Champions League finals in just 4 years.

Evra perfectly embodied the swashbuckling nature of Manchester United during The Premier League years and their success would undoubtedly not have been as without him.

Patrice Evra will remain one of the most exciting defenders in the world game – a true football legend.