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Emily Sergeant -
6th March 2020
Emily Sergeant -
6th March 2020 Trending
Patrice Evra issues passionate plea to Manchester United as he must miss the Europa League final
Danny Jones
Ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra has issued a passionate appeal to his old club ahead of the Europa League final, as he reluctantly prepares to miss the game.
Evra, 44, has remained an avid Man United fan even since he left the club back in 2014 and doesn’t miss a game if he can, often lending his punditry services to the likes of Sky Sports of TNT Sports.
However, despite the biggest game of their season coming up this Wednesday, 20 May, the Frenchman has been forced to skip the match due to a recent bereavement.
Nevertheless, Evra has taken time to issue a rallying cry to Ruben Amorim and his Red Devils, urging them to “be United” and “fight” just like his loved one.
As explained in the short video, the retired left-back’s sister recently passed away at just 56 after a long battle with cancer.
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Visibly emotional but determined in the clip, Evra starts by sharing his “positive energy” before trying to inject some defiance.
Noting that his sibling fought for her life for more than two decades, he goes on to add, “That’s what I want from you [United players and fans] tomorrow: just fight — bleed for this shirt, for the fans, the staff, for the people of Manchester.”
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Stating that there is “no excuse” for failure and that winning their first European trophy in seven years is their “duty”, he called on the team to channel the commitment and dedication of those travelling from all over the world to see them take on Spurs in Bilbao.
As for the former French international himself, he will be making his return to sport only in an entirely different arena, with a combat sports debut coming very soon.
While the comments underneath the post are obviously filled with lots of condolences for his loss, lots of supporters are also taking further faith and motivation from his competitive spirit.
Match day isn’t even here yet, but we’ve already seen some incredible examples of the frankly ridiculous lengths fans are going to in order to travel to the final, and Amorim himself has been applauded for a very classy and generous gesture.
It’s a big game for the club and so many across Greater Manchester; you only have to glance at social media to sense the palpable tension. For instance, if you’re a Red, you don’t want to scroll past the video down below.
Go on then – do you think United are going to do it?
If you do one thing today, make sure you watch this. pic.twitter.com/V7uCjISGmb
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 19, 2025
Read more:
- Travel warning issued as Manchester prepares for big night of music and football
- Jack Catterall set for all-British bout in Manchester this summer
- Gary Lineker set to leave BBC this week following more controversy
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Gordon Flood/Diego Sideburns (via Flickr) Patrice Evra (screenshot via IG)
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Manchester City reportedly set to snap up Serie A star this summer
Danny Jones
Manchester City are reportedly set to make a Serie A star one of their first key signings in the summer transfer window, as links to Tijjani Reijnders seem to be gaining even more traction.
After domestic disappointment not only in the league this season but following defeat in the FA Cup this past weekend, Man City look to end the 24/25 campaign trophyless for the first time since 2017, unless they can lift the Club World Cup in July.
Manager Pep Guardiola has already been quizzed on whether the club needs a rebuild, and although he was steadfast in defending his last nine years of success, many supporters have been arguing similarly.
With that in mind, City’s recruitment already looks to be underway as several key first-team figures, namely Kevin De Bruyne, are set to be replaced, and Reijnders is said to be their first target.
🔵⚪️ As told on 14th April, Manchester City decided for Tijjani Reijnders long time ago… City officials knows Reijnders current preference for the Skyblues and has already explored personal terms conditions to make it happen. #MilanAC
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) May 15, 2025
⏳ More details Monday @SkySportCH ⤵️ #MCI https://t.co/gOdF8AdJYG pic.twitter.com/4I8KFXBStu
According to multiple sources, the AC Milan midfielder had been eyed up by Man City months ago and despite a plethora of teams around Europe keen on signing him, Reijnders’ preference is thought to be East Manchester.
The dynamic Dutchman has been one of the Rossoneri’s best players this season, registering 15 goals and five assists from central midfield, more than anyone in Serie A and one of the best strike rates from a non-forward across Europe.
At 26, the Eredivisie product is now one of the most attractive prospects around and entering his so-called prime years, making him potentially the perfect replacement in the middle of the park with the Blues’ biggest and most consistently creative outlet, De Bruyne, set to leave after a decade.
There may be very few playmakers as brilliant as the Belgian, but getting a talent as highly-rated as Reijnders at this moment in his career could be a big coup for City.
Price tag-wise, it’s been suggested that the Italian club would want around €80 million (approx £67.4m) to secure his services.
If you haven’t seen him play before, here are a few of his highlights from this season.
With Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri insisting that it would be Reijnders’ “dream” to play under Pep, it could merely be a case of Man City making Milan an attractive enough offer.
However, with Spanish giants Real Madrid also said to be monitoring his situation, it’s unlikely they’ll get a free run at him.
What do you reckon: would you like to see him at the Etihad?
Also, whilst you’re here, who do you think City need to hang on to this summer, and which squad members do you think they can afford to offload?
Read more:
- The 81-year-old Man United being forced to give up his seat after nearly half a cenutry
- Ex-Salford Red Devils CEO steps back in to try and save the club from collapse
- Salford City FC have been bought out by a new consortium
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Saggittarius A(via Wikimedia Commons)/Simon Gough (via Pexels)
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