Evra foresees Real clash

Patrice Evra believes Manchester United are destined to meet Real Madrid in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Both clubs have begun their respective European campaigns well and look odds on to qualify for the knockout stages, despite having only played two games.

However, if United and Real both top their groups then due to the current seeding system the pair could not face each other until the quarter-finals.

But French international Evra feels the Premier League champions will definitely come up against the Spanish giants at some point this term.

“I know we will play Real Madrid,” he told Inside United.

“I can’t explain it. It is just a feeling. But I think we will play them, maybe even in the next round.”

If United were to face Real it would mean the 28-year-old would have the unenviable task of marking former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who swapped Old Trafford for the Bernabeu for a record £80million in the summer.

Not that Evra is worried, adding: “I once played against him in an Under 21 international but remember, I used to face him every day in training.

“He knows it could be very difficult for him.

“Ronaldo was a close friend and I was sad to see him leave. But you need to accept it. And the thing about Manchester United is no one player is the star – the club is the star.

“Sir Alex Ferguson tries to maintain that every year.”

Despite feeling disappointed with Ronaldo’s exit, Evra was truly saddened when Carlos Tevez departed for Manchester City, having struck up an unlikely friendship between the Argentine and Park Ji-Sung.

The former Monaco man admitted that it hurt him to see his friend in the blue of City when the pair came face to face in the recent Manchester derby.

“I am still good friends with Carlos but it was painful when I saw him with the City shirt on,” he added. “He was upset by the booing but he understands.”

While Evra also highlights that his friendship with Park has made him hugely popular in the winger’s home of South Korea.

“Because I am a close friend of Ji there has been this reaction,” he pointed out. “This is what happens when you play for United. You go to every part of the world and everybody loves you.”