Patrice Evra has been making all the right noises in light of revelations that Wayne Rooney was preparing to leave United for City.

Our left back, who is struggling for form this season after a mentally draining World Cup, has talked of the importance of our history, of respecting the shirt and being positive about the future.

“The star at Manchester United is the team, not one player,” said Evra. “Everyone at the club understands that mentality. All young lads want to play for this club because they respect the shirt, because that shirt is the biggest story – it’s our history. That’s the message you give to the young lads and when you finish the game, you have to look in the mirror and say you have done your job. There was no problem in the dressing room with Wayne and if he had wanted to talk, we were open because we wanted to help him. But it’s a big mistake to say Manchester United is finished. I like to talk in a positive way, but that is the truth. I would not play any more for this club if I knew we were not strong enough to win the league. That is why we play for Manchester United and we will see at the end of the season. Yes, Manchester City are rivals, but they are every year. I love to play against them, I love to win against Chelsea and I hate to lose to Liverpool at Anfield.”