Manchester United FC

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Evra denies reliance on Ron

09 Aug 2009 - 12:04:35

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Manchester United defender Patrice Evra believes the champions will be able to overcome the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

Ronaldo has left Old Trafford in a world record £80million transfer to Real Madrid this summer, with the departure of the current World and European player of the year leading to suggestions that United could struggle to recapture the heights of recent seasons.

But despite the loss of the Portugal star and Carlos Tevez to Manchester United, Evra fully expects United to seriously challenge for honours when the new campaign kicks off next weekend.

"It is important to be clear that Ronaldo did not make Manchester United," the France full-back 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.

"I am confident of a good season without Carlos and Cristiano. This is the start of another special United team."

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Community Shield encounter with Chelsea, he added: "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."