Date: 11th November 2011 at 12:13pm
Written by:
Evra

The French left back has struggled this season

Even before the derby day defeat that still lingers painfully in the memory of every Red, the talk among United fans was how we needed a central midfielder at the club.

Such was the clamour for an experienced man in the middle of the park that even men such as Joey Barton and Nigel Reo-Coker were touted by some as the answer to our seemingly obvious problems. While I agree United are one midfielder short of having a squad ready and capable of challenging on all fronts, there’s an even more pressing issue that needs to be resolved before we start bidding for the like of Cheick Tiote in January.

For the past two years the performances of Partrice Evra have been about as consistent as the names on the United team sheet. Last season, it took one of my favourite ever United players a good two months to recover from the world cup, while this time round, despite a Summer break, his performances have often ranged from mediocre to downright shocking- and I’m not just talking about the new Diablo wine advert!

The amount of times, teams seem to be getting a lot of space and time down United’s left flank is no coincidence as Evra often seems cumbersome in getting back from his attacking forays to say the least. It’s now getting to the point where a player I once wrote an article on entitled: “Patrice Evra, I love you” such was my adulation of how he consistently performed brilliantly every week, is now fast becoming a liability.

Part of the problem for Evra is that he’s the one player who doesn’t have any real competition for his position. Even Wayne Rooney isn’t always guaranteed a start, ditto Nemanja Vidic, yet when it’s a game that matters, Evra is. Not because he’s on such top form, or is so inexpendable, it’s because there’s no natural left back understudy at the club. Jonny Evans and Fabio can both play there, but it’s not there natural position, not to mention the fact that Fabio has had his fair share of injury problems, while Evans has been needed at centre back this season.

Evra doesn’t have anyone to give him the threat of being dropped that he may need, nor take the pressure off him when he’s not playing well.

It’s time to address this issue as soon as possible and that means in January. I know that the youngster Ezekiel Fryers is more than capable of playing at left back, but I feel this season may be a bit too soon to ask him to play important first team games. United need someone who can be thrown into a vital Premier or Champions League clash and not be overawed, therefore I’d like to see an experienced player come in, even if it was just for a season or two.

You may laugh, but Leighton Baines has been doing a pretty good job for Everton these past few seasons and everyone knows the Toffees are strapped for cash. A decent bid, possibly even a swap deal involving one of our strikers could tempt David Moyes to part company with his left back.

Another less enthralling option could be someone like Stephen Warnock at Aston Villa, I know he’s an ex Liverpool player and hardly likely to set the world alight, but as a stop gap for a season or two until Fryers is ready to challenge Evra, he could be a decent understudy.

I’ll admit I’m reacing slightly now, but the fact is United simply cannot continue to rely almost solely on Evra at left back, as this season has shown, he needs a break and a challenge.

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14 responses to “Forget Midfield, This Is The Real Priority For United In January”

  1. Nathan Quao says:

    It’s surprising that a lot of people don’t talk about how poor Evra’s been this season.He’s been sluggish and he’s one main reason why we’ve sometimes laboured in games and he was the guilty party so many times in the game against FC Basel.He was utterly zero in the derby and for me,it’s worrying. As you pointed out,maybe the comfort zone has become too comfortable for him and an inclusion in January might just wake him up.However,I don’t think our father Sir Alex will buy anybody.
    Evra needs to wake up else we’ll have bigger problems as the season progresses.I saw Lennon’s goal against Fulham where he left Baird feeling twisted and when I think of the fact that,Evra can get skinned easily by Lennon,my heart beats in fear.
    We need help at left-back and fast.

    • Rebmevon says:

      The reason “He was utterly zero in the derby” is because his brother passed away just hours before the match yet he still chose to play. Such is his commitment to the team he made sure he was still available.

  2. stevo says:

    You post for the most part is correct about Evra but to note only one midfielder required to challenge on all fronts is mind blowing to say the least.The biggest signing we need in November is a top coach.Currently and indeed for quite awhile the standard of our play is about the standard of Stoke and no better.

  3. Gavin says:

    For a while I’ve been spouting on to my fellow MUFC friends that I feel Evra has been a real cause for concern, this season particularly. I wholeheartedly agree with your comments Justin. I am a massive fan of Evra and it pains me to notice and say this, but there have been many time this season where he is caught not tracking back and picking up his man.
    I also think that when he has had to stand in as captain, his involvement on that front, especially when we’ve had injuries to our first choice central defenders AND midfielders has meant that there has been no authority in the middle of the park and so Evra (to his credit) has done his captaincy job properly. On the down side however, it could be a reason for why he seems to drift in-field and leave the void down our left flank.
    Just a theory of mine, but it makes sense. I’m not anti Evra, I’m just concerned that he has progressed his attacking game and forgotten his defensive duties..

  4. Ez says:

    The guy gets tired playing almost each and every game.
    Thanks for noticing what most don’t
    BAINES BAINES BAINES, is the best left back in the country right now. Last season he had 11 assists and 5 goals in epl! I always like him. I hope we sign him this January.

  5. Jack says:

    Baines would be a great option, depending on the fee involved, but i also would like to see fabio given more of a go and if we did bring in a new lb for me he would need to better at the back than going forward, cos we have the opposite covered.

    however i still think we need a creative and a defensive midfielder, plus tieing up Pogba to a long term deal.

  6. Zico says:

    I personally think that Man United need two top midfielders a defensive and attacking midfielder. To me the likes of Carrick, Fletcher and Anderson have not lived up to expectation and we were exposed by Man City and i fear that we will be further exposed by the likes of Barcelona, real madrid , Bayern Munich. I feel a good holding midfielder will stabilize the defence and a creative midfielder will create much more needed threat upfront. I strongly feel that if things continue the way they are i see Man United struggling in both the Premier League and the Champions leagues

  7. the red world, a wonderful place to live. says:

    Asnwer to left back situation is simple…..Fabio Da Silva, technical brilliance and the heart of a lion.

    Fabio is a fantastic player and brings alot to the attacking side of play as well, a big future awaits this lad, no need to waste money on some average left back when we got Fabio/ Zeki there.

  8. The Red City says:

    Answer to left back situation is simple…..Fabio Da Silva, technical brilliance and the heart of a lion.

    Fabio is a fantastic player and brings alot to the attacking side of play as well, a big future awaits this lad, no need to waste money on some average left back when we got Fabio/ Zeki there.

  9. Amy says:

    Nice article and I totally agree with you on Evra. But Utd will not be making any new signings in January. We will have to wait until next summer. Transitional year. I also agree with the other post. We need more than one central midfield signing and again we will have to wait until the summer.

  10. Tony Quirke says:

    If all you think we need is one midfielder then you must be watching another team! As for Evans he would not even be considered as a professional player by Barcelona or Real Madrid.
    Fergie is selling us down the river but perhaps his age is showing!