AUTHOR: – Stretford-end
Manchester United left back Patrice Evra is all set for a stormy encounter when he lines up against Marseilles on Wednesday evening due to his part in the France’s implosive at the World Cup last summer. United fans are eager to find out whether or not the Frenchman has signed a new deal at Old Trafford as conflicting reports emerged last week stating that he had agreed terms. However, it is expected that Manchester United will reveal later today that Evra has indeed signed a new deal to keep him at the club for five more seasons.
Marseilles will be without their big summer signing André-Pierre Gignac, who has suffered an abductor strain in last night’s Ligue 1 match against St Etienne. Gignac has scored three goals in four appearances (one as a sub) in the Champions League for the French Champions so far this season.
Target Patrice Evra
Former Marseilles coach and player, Jean Fernandez, believes that World Cup winning captain Didier Deschamps (and current manager) should target United’s left back, considering it is his first game back in France since the World Cup fall out:
“It will be his first match in France since the 2010 World Cup, so people are certainly going to boo him. Deschamps can play on that and tell whoever’s directly up against Patrice to wind him up as much as he can until he snaps and eventually is booked. If that happens, Evra won’t be able to defend effectively. That could be key in the end because his aggression is a big part in winning the ball back and you can’t lose control. If you win (the tackles against him), you can move forward. If you lose them, you retreat.”
André-Pierre Gignac out injured
Marseilles have been handed a massive blow with the news that André-Pierre Gignac will miss the first leg of the last 16 clash with an abductor strain. Gignac struggled at the start of the season for Marseilles, but since Deschamps switched the French international from centre forward to the left side of three man attack – he scored five goals in five games prior to the match against St Etienne on Saturday. Sporting director Jose Anigo revealed the extent of the injury after the game:
“There was some tissue tear for Gignac. It’s not very serious but, unless there is a miracle, there is little chance of seeing him against Manchester.”
Loïc Rémy, another summer signing, also limped off injured, but is expected to be fit to face United on Wednesday. French International Mathieu Valbuena has already been ruled out of the match. Didier Deschamps spoke about his injury concerns following United’s dire performance against Crawly Town at the weekend, but doesn’t believe the match revealed anything as to how United will line up on Wednesday:
“They (the injuries) are all the more costly because the Manchester United players sat at home with their feet up. I watched their match (against Crawley) but Alex Ferguson rotated so much that there was very little to see.”
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