Patrice Evra urges United and City fans to make Manchester proud

13 April 2011 16:38
Patrice Evra has pleaded for peace between Manchester's warring factions at Wembley on Saturday. The red and blue halves of a divided city collide in the FA Cup semi-final this weekend.[LNB] British Transport Police are launching their biggest security operation for a football match, with officers on all trains heading south and a total alcohol ban in place.[LNB] Fitting tribute: Players and City supporters (below) observe a minute's silence for the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster[LNB] [LNB]Service stations will also be monitored in a bid to prevent trouble given the antipathy between both sets of supporters.[LNB] And Evra hopes the showpiece occasion is remembered for what happens on the field, rather than events which take place off it.[LNB] 'I just want to send a message to United and City fans,' Evra said following last night's Champions League triumph over Chelsea at Old Trafford.[LNB] 'I hope there will be no trouble off the pitch.[LNB] 'We are playing on the pitch and I know and understand the feeling in the game, but everyone should make sure that the game is all about happiness.[LNB] 'I don't want to see anything that will make anyone sad. Every Mancunian should be proud. United fans and City fans should be proud of the occasion.'[LNB] Both clubs will hope Evra's words are heeded, although with the match bound to be decided on the day, the possibility for problems is obvious.[LNB] However, there have been occasions - notably in 2008 when City fans impeccably observed the 50th anniversary commemorations of the Munich air disaster - when the supporters have shown immense respect to each other.[LNB] The battle on the field is somethingelse though, with United still on target for a repeat of their 1999 treble after last night's win.[LNB] 'The problem with Manchester United is you don't have time to recover and Saturday is a big game,' Evra added.[LNB] 'It is a big opportunity for City. They want to win the FA Cup because it is a long time since they last won a trophy.[LNB] 'But we have to win too. Manchester United want to win every year and this is a big opportunity for us to win three trophies.'[LNB] Knockout blow: Patrice Evra, left, fears City will have an advantage over jaded United at Wembley[LNB] It certainly promises to be an intriguing occasion.[LNB] Even when Evra arrived at United in January 2006 and made his debut in a dismal defeat to City at Eastlands, the Blues were nothing like the outfit they have become.[LNB] Last season the old foes scrapped it out in the Carling Cup semi-final, which United won in the final minute of the second leg thanks to Wayne Rooney, who will be absent this weekend through suspension.[LNB] 'The derby has changed in the time I have been at Old Trafford,' Evra admitted. 'City are stronger than they were before.[LNB] 'Now they play to win the league every year. It is different and when everyone sees these matches they expect a big game because something always happens in the derby.'[LNB] With his old friend Carlos Tevez virtually certain to miss out, Evra and his defensive colleagues will be facing a far different challenge in Mario Balotelli.[LNB] The young Italian has found the net on regular occasions this season, which proves he is a threat.[LNB] But Evra has no answer to the repeated off-field problems he has found himself embroiled in.[LNB] 'I met Balotelli once," he said. "He seems like a good guy and I don't understand the trouble he has.'[LNB] Giggs puts personal landmarks aside to focus on United's treble chargeHow United's Little Pea emerged to put the big buys in the shadeFiring squad: Man United through to leave Ancelotti's future in the balanceAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail