Patrice Evra Manchester UnitedThe Arsenal and Liverpool fans were laughing when the player who had turned them down had a mare of a debut for United. Patrice Evra was thrown in at the deep end for United, playing his first game on derby day. He was subbed off at half time and United lost 3-1.

Since then, we have seen Patrice grow from strength to strength, and after claiming his spot in the PFA first XI last season, he has arguably shown himself as the left back in Europe. He is well liked around Old Trafford for his personality as much as his skills on the pitch, and has slotted himself in as one of the jokers in the team. It is therefore no surprise he’s been giving his English team mates a bit of a ribbing since their dismal failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

“In my heart I am disappointed but I have to laugh at them because they would do the same if France had not qualified,” he said. “I was singing ‘England, England’ in the dressing room, which I found quite funny, even if they didn’t.”

Good ol Patrice!