Patrice Evra feels he is finally getting to grips with English
football, which he believes will result in more performances like
his impressive display against Fulham on Sunday.
In the 5-1 victory at Old Trafford, the 25-year-old French
left-back produced his best showing in a United shirt since
arriving from Monaco in January.
He is single-minded in his ambition to be a regular starter for the
Reds. On the evidence of Sundays performance he will be a valuable
member of the squad this season, but he refuses to get ahead of
himself.
"Against Fulham, it was one good game. But I need to keep learning
and prove myself in training, he told MUTV. "I know I have to take
my chances when they come because Gabby Heinze and Mikael Silvestre
are challenging for the same position.
Evra saw his opportunities limited towards the tail end of last
seaso, but that period was part of his acclimatisation to English
football. He revealed he has been working hard to adapt his
game.
"I understand English football better now, he explains. In
France, when you have the ball you are relaxed. Football in England
is very quick and you have to be strong. I go to the gym all the
time and I want to be strong in the tackle. I'm learning all the
time.
He is candid about improving his defensive qualities. "Sometimes in
France I would do well in my attacking play but not so well
defensively, he admits. I want to find a balance - the
equilibrium - between defending well and attacking.
"I want to be a good defender. In France I was attacking all the
time. Now I know that I have to defend well first, then
attack.
"All the team are helping me to become a better player by giving me
advice. I have to listen. Every day when I wake up I thank god that
I am playing for Manchester United.
My target is to play regularly," he adds. "But it's important I
continue to learn and team keeps on winning."
