Evra cool on contract debate

Red Devils full-back keen to stay

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 16th May 2008

Patrice Evra Manchester United run

Evra: Second CL final

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Patrice Evra insists that he is happy at Manchester United and hopes to be offered a new deal in the near future.

The French international has only one-year left to run on his current contract at Old Trafford, but remains confident that the situation will be resolved shortly.

He has become a firm fixture in the Red Devils' first-team since his 2006 move from Monaco, and it would come as a surprise if Sir Alex Ferguson were to allow the attacking full-back to leave.

Evra accepts that anything is possible in football and his future may lie elsewhere, but for now he remains focused on helping United to European glory over Chelsea next Wednesday.

Meeting

"When I came here a lot of people told me football in England is just 'kick the ball away', but now I just laugh because the football is the best in the world," he said.

"I have one year left on my contract but I am just concentrating on the final. I have an agent and Manchester United know my situation. A meeting is coming, but for now I'm concentrating on winning the Champions League.

"After that let's see what happens. It would be hard to leave this club, but in football you never know."

Evra heads to Moscow for next week's UEFA Champions League final desperate to erase the painful memories of falling at the final hurdle with Monaco in 2004.

Overdue

He also believes that the United squad owe their manager another opportunity to get his hands on the trophy, as one success in 22 years does not do justice to a man who has transformed the Old Trafford club.

"Since I lost the final it's been in my mind every day," said Evra.

"That's why, when I signed for Man United, I said in my first interview I just want to play in the Champions League and win to cancel this bad memory with Monaco.

"It's my second final but I can't just play this game. I need to win this game because it's very important for Manchester United because it's a long time since 1999.

Respect

"And I want to win for Alex Ferguson. It's just his second final in the Champions League and I think a manager like that deserves to win it more than once.

"This is why I hope that everyone gets the present for him, out of respect for what he has done for Manchester United.

"I think it's very important for everybody but of course for the manager it's important.

"In 20 years at Manchester United he has won ten titles, but I think it's very important for him."