Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is dismayed that
Patrice Evra has been left out of the France squad.
Evra will sit out the friendly against Brazil on Wednesday
despite having served a five-match ban that was imposed after the
players' downed tools for a day during the World Cup in protest at
Nicolas Anelka being sent home.
Coach Laurent Blanc, who had a spell at Old Trafford as a
player, chose to omit Evra and Ferguson said: ''It is surprising he
has been left out because he has been punished. I don't see why he
should be punished further.
''If they are saying he is not good enough to play for France
then you cannot argue with that. But I know he is the best left
back France have got and one of the best in the world.
''There is no question in my mind about that. He is a fantastic
footballer. He will be disappointed but he just has to accept
it.''
Ferguson added: ''Patrice Evra is a very important player for
Manchester United and he will continue that way.
''Laurent Blanc was a player here and he knows the expectation
at this club. He knows that any player coming from Manchester
United is playing at the highest level and he knows that about
Patrice.
''He has served his punishment. He had five games and I thought
they would have moved on.''
Blanc, though, said that he would make his own decision and not
succumb to outside pressure on who he should and should not
select.
"I made my choice according to sporting criteria," he insisted.
''There is a lot of competition for that post involving players who
play for great clubs. I base my criteria on sporting qualities and
take into account Eric Abidal's showing in the last game which was
very good."
Blanc added that "the behaviour of the 23 (in South Africa), not
just that of Evra, was unworthy. There followed bans - and they
have been served. What interests me is putting together the best
team possible."
He added: "The door remains open."