Source: Daily_Mail
Evra: World Cup is more important than Champions League glory
Patrice Evra has told Manchester United team-mate John O'Shea to prepare for a scrap when France take on the Republic of Ireland for a place at next summer's World Cup.[LNB]The Senegal-born defender insists that getting to South Africa 2010 would be the biggest achievement of his career - surpassing the honours he has racked up since arriving at Old Trafford almost four years ago.[LNB]Dublin plays host to the qualification play-off first leg on Saturday, with the return match at the Stade de France four days later.[LNB] Lucky 13: Patrice Evra is desperate to play for France in the World Cup[LNB]'O'Shea has promised me hell at Croke Park,' said Evra. 'This is now or never. These will be the two most important games of my career. Even more than my final Champions League.[LNB]'I dream about it. I have been thinking about it every day. Matches like this make your blood boil. I feel the adrenaline rising. In these matches you see a man's character.'[LNB]Battle: Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea takes on another Manchester United team-mate, Wales' Ryan Giggs[LNB]Evra warns that the match will be more of a scrap than a feast for the aesthetes, but he is not underestimating Ireland's ability to play.[LNB]'The Irish will want us to have a restless night,' he said. 'They have made great progress. Without abandoning their fighting spirit, they also play football. [LNB]'They have top players in O'Shea, (Richard) Dunne, (Damien) Duff and (Robbie) Keane. Eire are a war machine.[LNB]'The France team loves games which are first and foremost a physical battle. Many of our players have that fighting spirit. You can talk about tactics, or whatever, but fighting spirit is key. If you're not ready to fight, you have no hope.[LNB] 'We could have had an easier draw, but France have a number of players who are used to battles in the English championship. These matches will look like boxing contests.'[LNB]Evra says he 'worked like a madman' after missing out on France's march to the final at Germany 2006 and he is determined not to miss out on the first World Cup on the continent of his birth.[LNB] Highlight: Manchester United celebrate winning the Champions League last year[LNB]'You can't imagine how many Africans are supporting the French team,' he said. 'So many dream of playing for Les Bleus. [LNB]'To me, this is not just a World Cup, but also a helping hand to the continent. I want to be a part of it. [LNB]'I've met Nelson Mandela twice. When I shook his hand, I felt his incredible aura. Some people have a special presence.'[LNB]France go into the match with Raymond Domenech under pressure and unpopular with supporters, but Evra says that critics of the coach are enemies of the team.[LNB] Wayne Rooney would walk into the Brazil team, says England midfielder Frank LampardArsene Wenger has stitched me up, says United star Darren FletcherManchester United tracking Arsenal and West Ham strike target ChamakhGRAHAM POLL: Brown fouled? Bent brought down? Stop bleating United and Co - it's NOT always the ref's faultMANCHESTER UNITED FC
