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'It is embarrassing to be in the Europa League' - Manchester United defender Patrice Evra shamed by Champions League exit
The Frenchman has hinted some of his team-mates are content to feature in any European competition and maintains his side should have worked harder in the early group matches
8 Dec 2011 00:30:00
By John Stammers
Getty Images
Patrice Evra has declared his embarrassment at being demoted to the Europa League after Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Basel resulted in an early Champions League exit.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side went into the final group game needing a point to secure qualification to the last 16. However, goals from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei sealed victory for the Swiss outfit as Phil Jones netted late on for last season's beaten Champions League finalists.
But Evra has conceded United deserved to be dumped out of the competition following their performances in the group stage and is unhappy at the prospect of competing in the Europa League.
"I feel I will wake up tomorrow and we will have qualified. It feels like a dream," Evra told reporters.
"But it is not a dream it is the reality. We should have woken up earlier in this competition. We deserve to be out.
"Even if it is a friendly, when I pull on United shirt I do my best to win that trophy. But it is embarrassing to be in the Europa League.
"I play for Manchester United to play in the Champions League but some players dream of playing for United in any competition and you have to respect that."
United's misery was further compounded by the injury to Nemanja Vidic who could face up to four months out with medial knee ligament damage.
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Sir Alex Ferguson's side went into the final group game needing a point to secure qualification to the last 16. However, goals from Marco Streller and Alexander Frei sealed victory for the Swiss outfit as Phil Jones netted late on for last season's beaten Champions League finalists.
But Evra has conceded United deserved to be dumped out of the competition following their performances in the group stage and is unhappy at the prospect of competing in the Europa League.
"I feel I will wake up tomorrow and we will have qualified. It feels like a dream," Evra told reporters.
"But it is not a dream it is the reality. We should have woken up earlier in this competition. We deserve to be out.
"Even if it is a friendly, when I pull on United shirt I do my best to win that trophy. But it is embarrassing to be in the Europa League.
"I play for Manchester United to play in the Champions League but some players dream of playing for United in any competition and you have to respect that."
United's misery was further compounded by the injury to Nemanja Vidic who could face up to four months out with medial knee ligament damage.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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