Patrice Evra Slams People 'Damaging' Man Utd From Within in Emotional Video

Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has shared a raw and honest criticism of the club in place of his usual ‘Happy Monday’ video, waking up at 2am to record his thoughts on the state of the Red Devils.

United were outplayed by Crystal Palace at home in their opening game of the new Premier League season on Saturday evening and fan frustration seems to be reaching new heights over a perceived failure to build on the eventual progress of last season.

“I’m sorry to all my Monday video fans, but I can’t do happy video when I’m not happy,” Evra began.

Taking a sip from a red mug bearing the club badge, he added, “The only pleasure I get from my club right now is drinking my green tea from my Manchester United cup.”

Evra’s first criticism centred around the club’s inability to efficiently secure transfers each. Jadon Sancho is the latest saga to drag out, but Harry Maguire’s £80m arrival last summer was prolonged, while the issue has gone back to 2013 when the club laboured over a Marouane Fellaini deal.

“Every year,” a despondent Evra said.

“I call it a déjà vu. We make so much impact on social media, but the reality…[nothing]. Every main target. Fans have to understand it’s not [about] buying five, six, seven…10 players, then your team will improve. But at least your main target, and that’s what we’re not doing anymore.

“At the time of Fergie and David Gill, we didn’t hear anything in the papers, but BAM, BAM, BAM…Van Persie, Evra, Vidic…BOOM…Ferdinand. Everything fast. If Manchester United want a player, they just go.”

The retired left-back went on to suggest that even money cannot fix the problems, citing a recent admission from Alexis Sanchez that he wanted to cancel his contract after his first day of training.

“Even [Sanchez] said, ‘No, I don’t want your money’. What a disrespect, for the legacy we’ve built. Before us, Bobby Charlton, George Best, all those people that make the history of the club. That why we try to respect 1999, us in 2008, and some people just want do blow all this legacy away. For what? Business? Come on, guys. We are better than that,” Evra continued.

A winner of five Premier League titles and the Champions League, he questioned the commitment of people currently at the club, at every level, insisting he is not scared about speaking out

“I sacrificed my life to succeed for this club and that’s what I want the players, staff and board to do…I think there are some people who work for this club who are damaging it. That’s why we have to tell the truth to the fans,” he summarised.

Evra, who is in touch with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, suggested that the under-fire chief is not the problem himself, but rather it is the people he surrounds himself with.

“The only problem I would say about Ed is trusting people he should never trust,” he said.

Evra also defended Avram Glazer in the wake of considerable fresh anti-Glazer ire on social media since it emerged recently that £200m has been taken out of the club as a result of the American owners – either servicing the debt brought on by the 2005 leveraged buyout or paid out to them.

“I know a lot of fans hate the Glazers, but, trust me, Avram loves Manchester United and cares about the club. I gave him some feedback and he wasn’t aware, because maybe the people he trusts don’t give him the right information,” Evra insisted.

Part of his issue with recruitment comes back to the lack of personality. He highlighted how Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane are personally involved when Real Madrid are interested in signing a player, which is similar to what Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill did at United.

“We’ve got the money, but we don’t have any players because we send the wrong people to speak with them. Ole, now, tries to approach players like Ferguson used to do,” Evra commented, suggesting that ‘lawyers’ and the likes of chief negotiator Matt Judge shouldn’t lead those talks.

The 39-year-old also suggested that there isn’t enough commitment from people working for the club, who have become too arrogant to understand the problems.

“To work for the club, you need to sacrifice your life and it’s not easy. But it’s the only way if you want to succeed with this club. Maybe some people don’t want to work hard or sacrifice their life and I understand that. But let’s be less arrogant. Some people from the club don’t even respect Sir Alex Ferguson,” Evra said in disbelief.

He also called on the players to take more responsibility and educate themselves on what representing the club means: “It’s a really heavy shirt, so if you can’t [handle it], just leave. I can’t blame them because they don’t have any example right now. But just watch some DVDs, read some books, so at least you will know.”

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