Evra reveals English struggle

Manchester United full back Patrice Evra has revealed his discontent with life in England.

The French international has taken time to settle into the hustle and bustle of The Premiership, but he is now first choice left back under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Evra has also won his place back in Raymond Domenech's Les Bleus squad, on the back of his recent form.

"I learn to make more sacrifices," he explained to AFP. "When I left Monaco, the first six months in Manchester were very difficult.

"I wasn't expecting it. When you move from Monaco to Manchester, you're making a big change. It was difficult for my family and my wife.

"It's difficult for my wife and my son. When there's no training and no match, then we watch a DVD under a warm blanket.

"It's always raining and the food is catastrophic."

On the pitch, though, things are going well for Evra - who admits he has had to work very hard to get up to the level expected of him.

"I work harder than I was used to," he said.

"At Monaco, I had a guaranteed place in the team - there was never any competition. But here, in every training session, I have to fight with Heinze and Silvestre.

"If you're not physically strong, you can't play in England," he reiterated. "I didn't understand that when I arrived.

"I came with my technical ability but, in England, first of all you have to be strong. Then you can play football.

"In France, I had time to look up. Here, as soon as you have the ball, the midfielder or forward has already tackled you at the throat."