By Chris Burton Last updated: 21st April 2008
Evra: Confident
Patrice Evra sees no reason why Manchester United cannot claim a vital victory over Chelsea on Saturday.
The Red Devils head into the title decider at Stamford Bridge three points ahead of the Blues, and know that a win would virtually wrap up the Premier League crown.
Their cushion could have been greater had they not dropped two points away at Blackburn last weekend, but their French full-back Evra is adamant that the dramatic nature in which they snatched a point at Ewood Park has helped to raise confidence ahead of the trip to West London.
"I am happy we have the point from Blackburn. It is going to be an important one," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"It would have put a lot more pressure on us if we had had to go to Chelsea with only two points separating us.
"You don't have to do all the calculations, you just have to win. If we win at Chelsea then we are the champions again. That's it.
"It will be hard there but we have the team to go and win. We are ready to go there and win. We have the destiny in our hands. We must be professional."
Before the showdown with Avram Grant's side United must face Barcelona at Camp Nou in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Evra admits that the upcoming fixtures could make-or-break their season, but insists that the Red Devils have what it takes to emerge victorious both at home and abroad.
"These next two matches are the most important two games of our season," he said.
"Of course, if we make it to Moscow (for Champions League final) that will be the most important but for now these are the vital ones. They are tough games.
"Our team is always confident. We go to Barcelona in the same confident mood we got into all matches. We can enjoy our game over there in Spain.
"We have a tough game in Barcelona and then the chance to win the title at Chelsea.
"We must enjoy these games. There is pressure and we have to win but we must also enjoy these moments.
"Approaching the Barcelona game, everybody is saying United are favourites because we are playing well in the Premier League and Barca are not playing well.
"But they have a lot of champions in their side. You have Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi. These are champion players and it will be difficult. We have to respect for them."
Evra also revealed that he his currently in negotiations with United over the prospect of extending his current contract, which is due to run out at the end of next season.
"My agent and the club are speaking about the contract," he said.
"They had the first meeting a long time ago and now I am just waiting.
"It is not a problem. I have one year left and I want to stay but the ball is in the club's court."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Arsenal |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Man City vs Chelsea |
| Sunday 14th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Stoke vs Everton |
| Monday 15th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Tottenham vs Aston Villa |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Sunderland vs Middlesbrough |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Newcastle |
| 17:30 | Bolton vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 21st September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | West Brom vs Aston Villa |
| 14:00 | Chelsea vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Everton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Portsmouth |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 31st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Sunderland 0 - 3 Man City | |
| Chelsea 1 - 1 Tottenham | |
| Saturday 30th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Everton 0 - 3 Portsmouth | |
| Hull 0 - 5 Wigan | |
| West Ham 4 - 1 Blackburn | |
| Bolton 0 - 0 West Brom | |
| Monday 25th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Portsmouth 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 24th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 3 - 0 West Ham | |
| Wigan 0 - 1 Chelsea | |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Newcastle 1 - 0 Bolton | |
| Liverpool 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Stoke 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| West Brom 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Tottenham 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Blackburn 1 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunday 17th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
Alex Dunn looks at how football management is changing in the light of Curbs' and Keegan's exits.
Skysports.com examines the possible contenders to fill the boots of Kevin Keegan at St James' Park.
With the transfer window closed Chris Burton looks at how the skysports.com team fared in their predictions.
England have been dealt a blow with the news Rio Ferdinand will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier.
Joey Barton has been handed a 12-game ban, six of which are suspended, for his training ground assault on Ousmane Dabo.
Adrian Mutu has filed an appeal against Fifa's order for him to pay compensation to Chelsea.
Alan Shearer has ruled himself out of the running to become the next manager of Newcastle United.
James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor were on target as England's Under 21 side impressed in seeing off Portugal 2-0.