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“Emotional” Evra to skip Man United-Ajax clash

Comment: 0 February 16th, 2012 by: admin

MANCHESTER United’s Patrice Evra will be sitting out the upcoming Europa League showdown with Ajax in order to rest after an “emotional” few days.

According to Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the decision to let the defender rest was due to Evra’s need for breathing space after a lengthy spell in the middle of the racism controversy with Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.

“We have rested Patrice,” Ferguson said.  “It has been an emotional week for him and it is the right thing to do.”

The issue, which involved Suarez allegedly hurling racial insults at Evra, came up short in terms of closure when an expected handshake between the two before their match last Saturday instead had Suarez snubbing the French defender.

When asked, Ferguson claimed that he and Evra had not yet discussed what happened that weekend.

Although the Liverpool striker has issued a public apology, criticism continues to surge, with Ferguson giving one of the most blatant ones.

He acknowledged, however, how the Merseyside outfit has taken a humble attitude towards the issue, and had manager Kenny Dalglish facing the press and expressing his regrets over the matter.

Ferguson now looks to the future and a healthy rivalry between two of England’s most prominent squads.

“We are all delighted that we have put the matter to an end,” he said.  “The two clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool, have too much great history and great rivalry.  That is what we are going to concentrate on in the future.

“Both sets of supporters should be pleased and delighted that all we are going to talk about is who is going to win the game.

“Sometimes we will lose to Liverpool, sometimes we will win,” the Scot said.  “But one thing you cannot take away is that both of us need each other.”

The first leg of the European League clash between Manchester United and Ajax is set for 16 February at the Amsterdam Arena.

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