Ferguson blasts France´s Evra snub

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has reacted in disbelief to Patrice Evra being left out of Laurent Blanc’s France squad.

Evra was expected to resume international duty on Wednesday, when France take on Brazil in a friendly at the Stade de France in Paris, after serving a five-match ban for his role in Les Bleus’ World Cup player revolt.

But the left-back was a surprise omission, with France coach Laurent Blanc explaining away the shock snub as ‘tactics’.

Ferguson was dismayed by the treatment meted out to his player, saying it was unfair to Evra to continue punishing him beyond his five-match suspension.

“It is surprising he has been left out because he has been punished. I don’t see why he should be punished further,” Ferguson said.

“If they are saying he is not good enough to play for France then you cannot argue with that. But I know he is the best left-back France have got and one of the best in the world.”

“There is no question in my mind about that. He is a fantastic footballer. He will be disappointed but he just has to accept it.”

Ferguson once coached Blanc when the latter finished off his playing career at Old Trafford, and said the France coach should know better than most the high standard required of footballers at Manchester United.

“Patrice Evra is a very important player for Manchester United and he will continue that way,” he said.

“Laurent Blanc was a player here and he knows the expectation at this club. He knows that any player coming from Manchester United is playing at the highest level and he knows that about Patrice.”

“He has served his punishment. He had five games and I thought they would have moved on.”