Patrice Evra is the interim captain for Manchester United. In such a prominent leadership role, it’s interesting to examine how influence he had in motivating the Red Devils to help pull off the 3-0 win against Olympiakos in the Champions League last Wednesday. The momentum turning victory erased a nil-two deficit that propelled United to advance to the round of eight.
No one saw this coming. What did Patrice Evra do?
He told the Daily Star Sunday what he said to his Man United teammates:
“It was really tense in the dressing room before that match.
“I said to all my team-mates, ‘Tonight, we have to play for the people we love – for the United family and not for the people who criticise us’.
“We had to give back after the Liverpool game. Losing 3-0 at home and the fans were still singing.
“When I got home I was really sad but at the same time I was happy because we have the best fans in the world. In my head, I was saying I couldn’t wait for the match against Olympiakos to give them back what they gave to us.
“A lot of people say you need the fans because when we do the job on the pitch, they’ll always be behind us.
“That’s why I want good times for all the Manchester United fans.
“I said before the Champions League game that I want the fans to be proud of us and we ought to say thanks to God to be able to play in the Man United jersey.
“Maybe people will say I’m too old school but when you play with spirit, you can do big things.
“I was so happy for the players, for the fans and for the new staff.”
Inspiring work Patrice Evra. Well done. Well done indeed. (h/t 90th Minute)
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar, he’s also a frequent commentator on national talk radio. The former NBC Chicago and Washington Times contributor has also been featured on the History Channel. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)