Start to finish: Evra was ever-present in United’s league campaign from August to November. However, a yellow card in the derby win at City resulted in a one-game ban meaning he missed a league game for the first time in 2008/09 when United drew 0-0 at Tottenham in December. If that was unlucky for Evra, it paled next to his punishment for a post-match incident at Chelsea on 26 April 2008. The FA found Patrice guilty of improper conduct, fined him £15,000 and suspended him four four domestic games. A foot injury further hampered his campaign, but once fit to return, he reclaimed his place for a largely unbroken run at the business end of the season.
In position: Like Denis Irwin in 1993/94, Patrice Evra has become almost indelible in a regular defence that just rolls off the tongue. The words “…and Evra” were uttered by commentators 48 times during 2008/09. And he was once again named at left-back in PFA Team of the Year.
Season highlight: Aside from his two excellent displays in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal during which he hardly gave Theo Walcott a kick, sixty-six minutes against Chelsea were probably Patrice’s finest hour and a bit of the campaign, especially when you consider the magnitude of the fixture and Evra’s recent personal history with the Reds’ title rivals. Even if injury cut short his appearance, it must still have been sweet for Patrice to play so well and create United’s second goal when Rooney converted his great cross.
Vital contribution: Rarely did one split-second incident sum up the unsung hero’s lot so well. Had Evra not produced the perfect interception when Villa were threatening to score again at 2-2, then play might not have switched to the other end for Macheda to make his name.
Any lows: His ban (see above). “Of all the things the FA has done to this club over the years, this is one of the big shocks. I couldn’t believe it," admitted Sir Alex.
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