No place like home for Evra
04 Mar 2008 - 10:04:12
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra believes home advantage will be key when Sir Alex Ferguson's side tackle Lyon on Tuesday evening with a quarter-final place in the Champions League at stake.
United drew 1-1 in France two weeks ago in the first leg of the last 16 clash, thanks to Carlos Tevez's late equaliser.
Evra thinks that goal will be crucial in the final analysis, telling United's official website: "When I play at Old Trafford I feel I have more power, more energy in my legs, more character.
"It's strange, but teams can be scared when they come here. We shouldn't under-estimate the effect it can have.
"It's a big stadium, the pitch is wide, and we play with pace. Teams don't like that. It can be hard for them to cope.
"It's called the Theatre of Dreams - but that's only for United, not for any other team!"
Meanwhile, veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is enjoying the hectic schedule as United chase glory on three fronts - the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup.
He said: "Every game is big now, but that's how you like it as a player. You want to be competing for trophies.
If you have three games every week, it shows you're doing something right.
"Things keep changing. We were five points behind Arsenal a couple of weeks ago in the league and thought it would be difficult because you're relying on them dropping points.
"Thankfully for us they've drawn their last two games and we're right back in there."