Patrice Evra’s EPL performances this season have had observers describing the Manchester United star as the best left-back in the world, most importantly his own club manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Evra also appeared in UEFA’s 2009 team of the year. Yet he has not been a regular for France, having won only 27 caps in a five-year international career. France coach Raymond Domenech has often preferred Barcelona’s Eric Abidal in the role.

Evra therefore only made one appearance in France’s lacklustre Euro 2008 finals campaign.

 

However, his big-game experience dates back to the 2004 Champions League final when he was part of the unsuccessful Monaco which lost 3-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Porto.

Evra went one better in 2008 when United beat Chelsea on penalties in Moscow.

The Senegalese-born defender, who recently turned 29, has been involved in two infamous post-match altercations.

One was with Patrick Viera in the tunnel after his appearance at Euro 2008, a 4-1 defeat to Holland, the other with a Chelsea groundsman after United’s EPL match at Stamford Bridge in April 2008, for which he was banned for four games.

However, his excellent season with United makes him a vital part of Domenech’s controversial squad selection for this year’s World Cup tournament.