Evra takes swipe at rivals

Patrice Evra has questioned the winning mentality of Manchester United's Premier League rivals.

The lung-bursting left-back has also taken a swipe at Saturday's opponents Arsenal, brandishing their treatment towards him last term as "shameful".

United welcome the Gunners to Oldwelcome the Gunners to Old Trafford in what has been described as the first heavy-weight clash of the season.

The stand-out fixture proceeds Thursday's UEFA Champions League draw which has seen last season's top-four dealt manageable groups - leaving Evra wondering how European football will affect Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal's domestic campaigns.

The Frenchman believes now Europe's premier competition is about to get under way, the Red Devils' title challengers' league quests will falter, whereas United's will only intensify.

He told The Sun: "I think the difference between us and the other three of the so-called Big Four in England is that we are totally and utterly fixated by our major objective which is to win the title again and again.

"It's easy to win a title but the tough thing is to retain it.

"So to lift the Premier League trophy three or four times on the trot is a hugely impressive achievement."
Shameful

With Saturday's evening fixture wetting the appetite, Evra expressed his views ahead of the huge clash by reflecting on what he perceived to be brutal treatment he was on the receiving end of last season.

The France international believed he was the target for revenge in May after Manchester United swept aside the Gunners in the Champions League semi-finals.

Evra claims the challenges were so bad even referee Mike Dean warned him to be on his guard as it appeared Arsenal were targeting the United defender.

The 28-year-old said: "What Arsenal did that day was shameful. I was asked if it felt like there was a contract out on me and I had to say 'yes, yes, yes'.

"It's not at all the way in which Arsenal normally handle matches because they usually play really good football and are not overly aggressive - it was a big change. That's why I have to thank the referee.

"He came up to me and said 'Look I don't know what's going on but since half-time all the Arsenal players seem to be out to injure you. Don't get involved'."