Patrice Evra: Manchester United Care About Trophies Not Beating Manchester City

Posted Tuesday, January 19, 2010 by Goal.com

Frenchman stokes up rivalry ahead of semi-final.

EPL: Patrice Evra - Stephen Carr, Manchester United - Birmingham

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has claimed that the Red Devils care little for beating Manchester City in this week's League Cup semi-final.

They could be playing anyone, he asserts, and are focused on winning another trophy, not claiming local bragging rights.

"We know the City people are talking about this game," he said, according to Press Association Sport.

"But we are playing it to go one more step closer to winning the cup, maybe they are playing it to beat us. That is the difference between the two clubs.

"For us it is not just about beating Manchester City.

"Yes, it is an important game but Manchester United play a lot of big games."

Evra does count this season's 4-3 victory over City at Old Trafford as the best atmosphere he has experienced at Old Trafford though.

He is also hopeful that a defeat to United might once again stall the Citizens' campaign somewhat.

"People always ask me what is the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at Old Trafford," he added.

"Before it was Barcelona and the game against Roma.

"But when we beat City 4-3 it was crazy. Everyone was on the pitch at the end, the noise was incredible.

"More importantly, City had been doing well. But when they lost that game against us they started to struggle.

"If we win this match it might affect them again."

As for City manager Roberto Mancini, Evra feels that only time will show if he is a good manager for the Eastlands club or not.

"Every time it is the same. Now people say Mancini is a great manager because he won the first four games," he said.

"But if he loses against United, they will say he is the worst. That is the way football is now. It is only talk."

Medals and trophies are what motivates the France left-back, and the League Cup provides him with another chance to demonstrate that he is doing his job properly.

"Every year I have been at Manchester United I have won two or three trophies," he explained.

"For me now, it is normal.

"If we don't win the league it will look like I have not done my job properly. I only have the mentality to win, every year."