World Cup woe is Evra Euro incentive
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra claims his omission from
the France World Cup squad last year has had a positive effect on
his career.
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The defender, who joined United from French side Monaco in January
2006 for a fee of £5.5 million, made his international debut in
2004, and has so far earned seven caps for France.
The 26-year-old told L'Equipe: 'I have to make my presence felt
either in Manchester or with France but I don't want to burn myself
out.
'Before Slovakia in August it had been nearly two years since I had
been called up. It was good for me and I think it was my best match
for France. I had some good criticism and I have to continue this
way.'
Evra admitted being left out of France's journey to the 2006 World
Cup final, where they lost on penalties to Italy, had hurt him -
but served as useful motivation.
'That's what gave me my determination,' he said. 'But it was a
tough blow never having played in a World Cup. It hurt me seeing my
teammates on TV. I said to myself, `Pat, this year it's
make-or-break.'
'I worked like a madman and I did weights work which I never did
before because I considered football to be mainly a ball
game.
'But to do well in England you need strong legs. I am not the same
Evra I was when I started at Manchester.'