Patrice Evra has called his future at Manchester United into question, suggestion he could leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, due to “personal” factors. The 32-year-old’s comments come after a summer in which United failed with moves for fellow left-backs Leighton Baines and Favio Coentrao.
Indeed, there was much speculation that Evra would depart during the close season, with a move back to his former club Monaco strongly mooted. There has been no world about Evra extending his stay at Old Trafford, something which he says is down to him rather than the club trying to move him aside.
“No, not at all,” Evra responded when asked by French TV show Telefoot whether he was concerned about his expiring contract, according to Sky Sports. "It is a personal thing. It is not that Manchester United do not want me to sign a new contract. Manchester United would like me to finish my career there, but this is something personal."
The revelation comes amid further talk about Baines’ future. United failed with both individual and combined bids -- with Marouane Fellaini -- for the England international in the summer as Everton dug their heels in. Baines has entered the precarious final two years of his contract, but Everton manager Roberto Martinez claims not to be overly concerned, because transfer talk will continue regardless.
“I don't think there will be any less speculation if he signs a new contract," he said, according to The Guardian. "He's not just a top left-back, he's an Evertonian icon. That's what he represents to us. Signing a contract or not wouldn't change anything. [Edison] Cavani signed a new one and then he got sold a few months later.
"Throughout the world of football, top players have become big assets," he added. "They are in demand and that's never going to change. It could be that by next summer the contract becomes an issue because you don't want assets to be devalued, but the most important thing for us is he continues enjoying his football and is happy here. We will never get away from the debate and speculation but I see it as a compliment. No one would talk about a player who wasn't doing well.”
With Manchester United lacking creativity in the difficult early stages of David Moyes’ reign, the club have been linked for Montpellier attacking midfielder Remy Cabella. The 23-year-old has made a fine start to the season -- scoring five goals and contributing two assists in nine appearances. And his manager, Jean Fernandez, has revealed that the player has his price.
"In the winter transfer window, if Manchester United offer €18m (£15m) as I see it, he must go," he told Reuters. "Even if that kills the team, one cannot refuse an offer like that."
Meanwhile, the future of Cristiano Ronaldo is once again in the spotlight. It has long been reported that the Portuguese star could make a return to Old Trafford at some point. But, just a month after signing a new long-term contract to make him the highest-paid player in the world, The Sun has reported that Ronaldo is taking French lessons ahead of a potential £100 million move to Paris Saint-Germain next summer.
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