Source: SKY_Sports
Evra - We can cope without Ron
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra is confident the side can cope without Cristiano Ronaldo this season.
Ronaldo has left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in a record-breaking move after two years of speculation over his long-term future at United.
Sceptics have questioned that United will struggle without the Portuguese star, but Evra insists the reigning champions will not miss Ronaldo and have enough quality in their squad to compensate for his loss.
"It is important to be clear that Ronaldo did not make Manchester United," Evra told the News of the World
"Ronaldo was never the star at Manchester United. We are all stars and the boss would never let any one person believe he is the star.
"He was a good player for us and a very important one. But Manchester United was Manchester United before him and it is still Manchester United after him."
Carlos Tevez has also departed United this summer, but Evra has backed Sir Alex Ferguson to lead United to further glory starting with Sunday's Community Shield clash with Chelsea.
"I am confident of a good season without Carlos and Cristiano. This is the start of another special United team," added Evra.
"My focus is to win the Premier League and the Champions League, but we will be looking to win the Community Shield first.
"People need to remember that the boss is the master of building new teams. Anderson and Nani will be big players in this new team."
Huge loss
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believes the departure of Ronaldo will hurt United and boost their rivals' chances of taking their Premier League crown.
"Ronaldo is a huge loss," Lampard told the Sunday Mirror. "In losing him they've taken 70-odd goals over two seasons out of the team.
"He single-handedly won games for United at times.
"You look across their team and they have fantastic players across the board. But they are going to miss Ronaldo. Simple as that."
