Patrice Evra has pointed the finger at two Manchester United legends, holding them responsible for the “chaos” at Old Trafford. He criticized the current situation at the club, stating that the standards being displayed are “not good enough.”
Manchester United legend Patrice Evra has pointed to two individuals as being responsible for the club’s struggles, identifying the moment when things began to unravel at Old Trafford.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, several managers have attempted, but failed, to restore United’s status as Premier League contenders.
Ferguson’s illustrious 27-year tenure saw him secure 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, and two Champions League trophies.
Erik ten Hag is the latest to take on the challenge of reviving United’s former glory, having won an FA Cup and League Cup during his first two seasons.
However, the team has underperformed in both domestic and European competitions since his arrival from Ajax in 2022.
Last season, United finished eighth—their lowest position in the Premier League era—and they currently sit 12th in the table after eight matches in the 2024/25 campaign, leading to mounting pressure on Ten Hag to improve results.
Evra believes he and former manager Ferguson share some of the blame for the club’s decline, suggesting that they departed too soon and left a void in leadership.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Evra remarked, “It’s always tough to talk about United now because back in the day, we played for the fans, the badge, and the history.” He continued, “I blame myself and Sir Alex Ferguson. When we left, we left too early, and it’s hard for the players as they don’t have any example to follow.”
He acknowledged Ten Hag’s efforts, saying, “The manager is trying his best, but it’s not good enough. The chaos at the club has persisted since our last league title in 2013.”
Meanwhile, Dutch legend Edgar Davids revealed that he had a chance to play for Ferguson when he left Ajax in 1996, but ultimately turned down the opportunity.
Describing his encounter with Ferguson, Davids said, “Speaking with Sir Alex was one of the most remarkable experiences of my career. He was everything you wanted—funny, charming, and intelligent.”
“The top teams were in Serie A, and that was where I wanted to be at that point in my career. That was the primary reason I chose to join AC Milan.
“I don’t regret not moving to Manchester United. I’ve met with Sir Alex since then, and we’ve had a good laugh about it all. There are still positive feelings between us.”
Patrice Evra, a Manchester United legend, recently reflected on the club’s prolonged struggles, pointing to himself and Sir Alex Ferguson as partly responsible for the decline that began after their departures. Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United have faced significant challenges in regaining their dominant status. Evra suggested that both he and Ferguson left too soon, creating a void in leadership and leaving players without strong figures to emulate.
In his conversation with **BBC Sport**, Evra expressed: “I blame myself and Sir Alex Ferguson. When we left, we left too early, and it’s hard for the players as they don’t have any example to follow.” He acknowledged Erik ten Hag’s attempts to revive the club but noted that United’s difficulties have continued since their last Premier League title in 2013.
This comes amid growing pressure on Ten Hag, as Manchester United currently sit 12th in the 2024/25 Premier League standings after a disappointing start to the season.
In a separate interview, Dutch legend Edgar Davids revealed that he had the opportunity to play for Ferguson in 1996 when he left Ajax. Despite being impressed by Ferguson, Davids opted to join AC Milan, believing Serie A was where the top teams were at the time. Although he didn’t move to United, he and Ferguson later reflected fondly on their meeting.
