Manchester United is taking on Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the Europa League 2025, but the winning defender of the Champions League Patrice Evra will not be in Bilbao to encourage his former club
Former Manchester United -defender Patrice Evra will not be on the Europa League final on Wednesday. Instead, the French international will attend his sister's funeral, who died after a 20-year cancer struggle.
The left back was part of the victory of United's Victorious 2008 Champions League, and also played in Longsenagen to Barcelona in the same phase in 2009 and 2011. Since then, United has only won one European trophy and won the Europa League in 2017, but have the chance to add that if they can beat in Bilbaoo.
Evra explained in a video message why he misses the game. “I was supposed to come to Bilbao for the final person in person, to show your support, to share my positive energy, but unfortunately I have to go to Paris for my sister's funeral on the same day as the final,” he said.
“She was 56, fought against cancer for 20 years. Resilience, fighting, that's what I want from you tomorrow – just fight, bleeding for this shirt, for the fans, for the staff, for the people in Manchester, for fans around the world.
'There is no excuse – this is your duty tomorrow. I think your coach Amorim [is] Someone I support, someone I believe in, even when we win or lose. Give something, boys. “
He expected a tough game, with Tottenham Hotspur already defeated three times this season. “Tottenham also has a lot to lose,” he continued. “They are in the same position in the competition as we, they have not won a trophy, so this is a huge opportunity for them.
“But this is not an excuse. We are husband United. You know that many fans are going to travel around the world and believe that they know that they will celebrate after the game, because they believe in you, whatever happens.
“Because we can do it. We can do it, guys. So, as I say, blood for this shirt, history. Think of the people, your family or whatever – there is no other way to win. Don't be selfish – it's a qualification [for the] Champions League so we are even preparing for the future for next year. So guys, you know, I'll be far away, I'm counting on you. Come on United! “
Evra's former club has received a boost in their preparations after three first teamers have returned to the training. Joshua Zirkzee made a surprise back after he was previously excluded for the season, while Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot also try to prove their fitness for the final.
“Although their availability for the final has yet to be confirmed, the fact that they were involved in the part of the training that was recorded live on MUTV is certainly an encouraging sign prior to the expected announcement of the Ruben Amorim travel group later today,” the club said in an online update. “Zirkzee's Dutch countryman and colleague recent absent Matthijs de Ligt were not seen in our last session before we go to the Basque Country country, but made an individual training on the grass elsewhere.
“Young people Toby Collyer and Ayden Heaven continued to rebuild their fitness by training with the group, after returning to the matchday squad against Chelsea on Friday after some time -out. Jonny Evans, who did not play since scoring in our League Cup defeat in December, he was not involved in his Intelige defeat, but his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, but his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, but his defeat, his defeat, but his defeat, but his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, but his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, his defeat, but his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, also his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, also his defeat, his defeat, who was defeated by the League -of defeat in the defeat of his defeat in the defeaty, defeat with his defeat in the defeaty, defeat with his defeat in his defeaty, defeat, his defeat, his defeat, who was defeaty, Intelitricity, despite its gridness, despite his gridness, despite his gridibility, despite his gridness. “
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