Sport

Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to make his MMA debut very soon

'I love this game too.'

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 26th April 2025

In another somewhat left-field turn of events in the sporting world, ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to swap his boots for gloves as he prepares to make his MMA debut.

The retired Man United player and French international ended his playing days back in 2019 after a short one-year spell at West Ham, and has mostly worked as a pundit in recent years.

Evra, 43, stunned his millions of followers online and even more football and fight fans alike by announcing he would be trying his hand at combat sports earlier this week.

Hopping on social media to confirm the news, it’s fair to say he’s already relishing the challenge.

The former left-back made 379 appearances for the Red Devils, winning 14 trophies, but this will be his first in the European division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the second-biggest promotion in MMA after the UFC.

As far as we know, Evra has little to no background in fighting of any discipline, even if he was used to the more physical side of the game as a defender.

Writing via X on Friday, 25 April, the 2008 Champions League and ’09 Club World Cup winner, said: “I’m officially training for my first fight with PFL Europe. They will pick my opponent… They asked who I wanna face. I said: Luis Suárez.

“I’ll pay out of pocket. He can even bite me.”

Suárez, still playing at 38, was not only found guilty of at least three instances of biting other players but was famously charged with racially abusing Patrice Evra back in 2011, with the two sharing a strong feud ever since.

Now, since the Uruguayan striker is still playing professional football over in the MLS, alongside the one and only Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, we wouldn’t hold our breaths.

Nevertheless, it seems as though he will be fighting someone on 23 May, once an opponent is selected in the coming weeks.

Evra has been training with Cameroonian-French mixed martial artist and friend, Cédric Doumbé, a former kickboxing specialist and now an established fighter in the welterweight class.

Joking aside, although there are a lot of controversial moves that are legal in MMA, biting isn’t one of them – not that it ever stopped the former Liverpool forward in the past.

Let’s just say old habits can die hard…

Speaking in an official press conference, Evra said: “I’ve performed on the world’s biggest stages, won every major trophy in football, but PFL Europe Paris will be an incredibly special night for me.

“I’ve been training alongside the best in the world for years, and they’ll also tell you I’m ready for this. I’m going to put on a show at the Accor Arena on 23 May, so come watch the spectacle.”

As out of the blue as it may seem, he obviously isn’t the only former athlete to have swapped one sport for another after calling time in their first career.

In fact, he’s not even the first United player to change lanes.

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan starts his professional tennis career next month
Evra is set to take on his first MMA fight, and Forlan has already taken to the pro court.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Professional Fighters League Europe (press shot)/Ian C (via Flickr)

Sport

Jonny Evans is staying at Manchester United after retirement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Jonny Evans is staying on at Manchester United in a youth staff role

Recently retired defender Jonny Evans is reportedly staying at Manchester United after hanging up his boots as a player and is set to remain in a new staff role at the club.

Evans enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in red after returning to Old Trafford back in 2023 on a short-term deal that was initially intended as a way of him regaining fitness whilst helping Man United out on their pre-season tour.

Fast-forward to 2025, and he’s made another 43 appearances for the team, a whole eight years on from his first spell, with his temporary contract made permanent under Erik ten Hag and playing a number of games under Ruben Amorim as well.

However, having picked up an injury in the previous campaign and now at 37 years old, his second stint wasn’t going to last forever; as per The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell, Evans will now take up a staff job at United, dealing primarily with young players.

The Stockport-born journalist explains that the Northern Irish centre-back will be operating in a youth development role, focusing specifically on youth loans and bedding academy products into other clubs.

As an academy graduate himself, his knowledge of the system and wealth of expertise as a veteran of the senior game have seen him identified as an ideal candidate for the task.

With yet another round of redundancies around the organisation earlier this year, and with academy director Nick Cox leaving the setup after nearly a decade at the club last week, his arrival in the post has come at a crucial time.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS Group and CEO Omar Berrada have all faced heavy criticism for trimming the workforce despite paying off heavy sums owed on players and coaches no longer at the club, as well as continuing to try and spend in the summer window.

A number of unpopular decisions are already directly impacting the supporters, too.

The 81-year-old Red being forced to give up his seat after nearly half a cenutry
It isn’t just the staff that are being hit by the cutbacks and business decisions.

Nevertheless, retaining the cult favourite club servant has been met with a much better reception.

Whitwell explains that “United see Evans as a valuable asset for his character, professionalism and experience of winning trophies, and feel a role in bridging the pathway between academy and senior football suits him.”

Plus, with Mathues Cunha already brought into the club and progress being made in the deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo, there is plenty of reason for fans to be positive.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the transfer market, the likes of Jadon Sancho, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have all been linked with permanent moves away, which could help them finance the recruitment behind the potential rebuild.

Nevertheless, much like part of the furniture, Evans is staying right where he is.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester United (via MUFC website)

Sport

Wigan Athletic make statement signing after grabbing Wrexham’s Paul Mullin on loan

Danny Jones Danny Jones Paul Mullin joins Wigan Athletic on loan

Wigan Athletic have pulled over a big transfer in the summer window, albeit only temporarily for now, as they have managed to acquire the services of Wrexham AFC striker Paul Mullin on loan.

The Merseyside-born marksman, who has been instrumental in helping lift Wrexham from the depths of the National League and into the Championship (the first time they’ve been back in the second division since 1977/78), joins the Latics on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Mullin may be gradually entering the latter end of his career, but he has proved time and again that he can score, managing to chip in with a respectable half dozen goal contributions even amidst a lengthy period out following back surgery and a subsequent shin injury.

The 30-year-old is the third signing for Wigan so far in 2025, following the likes of incomings Fraser Murray, a left-sided Scottish midfielder from Kilmarnock, and fellow forward Christian Saydee from Portsmouth, but he’s no doubt the one who’s caught the most attention.

A regular hero in the well-documented and Hollywood-backed Welcome to Wrexham story, Paul Mullin has notched an unbelievable 110 goals in 172 games, boasting a combined goal contribution tally of 223 across multiple English clubs up and down the football pyramid in just over a decade as a professional.

Put simply, he scores goals wherever he goes.

Commenting on the move, Mullin said via club media: “I’m excited for the next part of my story. The Gaffer has outlined his plan for the season, and I’m hoping to take his trust into the season and make it a really successful one. As a player, I give absolutely everything and work as hard as I can. 

“I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the Club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.”

Bidding a brief goodbye to his parent club, he responded to their announcement by adding: “All the best this season! Keep the train rolling.”

Although he’s no stranger to the North West – having been born in Litherland, Sefton and played for both Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers – Wigan Athletic is the first spell at a Greater Manchester club for Mullin. The move will also see him face familiar local foes like Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers.

It’s fair to say that, as well as finding the net pretty regularly throughout his career, he’s managed to pick up a number of accolades along the way, too, especially during his time with Wrexham.

Much-admired rising coach Ryan Lowe, who was snapped up by Wigan Athletic amidst the flurry of names linked last March, said in the official club statement: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to sign Paul. He’ll be a great addition to the group and is a player who is a proven goal scorer in the EFL. 

“He has won promotion in his last three seasons with Wrexham AFC and will add firepower, know-how and experience to the group, which is really important. He is here because he is hungry to score more goals, win games and contribute to Wigan Athletic Football Club.”

“Paul is the type of character we want in the dressing room, and his experience will help support the team on and off the pitch.”

Supporters of The Red Dragons might be sad to see him go, but you’ve got to be happy with this one, right, ‘Tics?

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Wigan Athletic

More Sport

Lusaint performing live music at The Hundred in Manchester

Audio

Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025

Salford

Tom Aspinall is now the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight champion

what live music gigs are on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer? 2025

Audio

Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches