Patrice Evra: ‘I want Tyrell Malacia to make people forget about Patrice Evra’

With Manchester United’s latest full back signing Tyrell Malacia drawing heavy praise for his performances so far this season, United legend Patrice Evra has had his say on the club’s new number 12.

Speaking recently with Betfair, Evra praised Malacia for having several key qualities that a great left back must possess, but also begged the United fanbase to give Malacia time. 

“People have been comparing Malacia to myself.” Said Evra. “And guys, when you compare to me, they need to be the best left-back in the world, the best left-back in the Premier League for at least four years and they need to win the league,

"So give him time, I'm asking fans to give him the same time that they have given to Luke Shaw,

‘You can see the determination, he's hungry to play and also he wasn't selfish. Those are really important qualities as a left-back.”

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Malacia, who has made an appearance in all three of United’s games so far in this season’s Premier League campaign was on the receiving end of plaudits from the United fanbase for his performance in the club’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool.

With three appearances down, and a four-year contract signed, it is expected Malacia will be a part of the Red Devils’ squad for some time.

With that in mind, Evra offered advice to the 23-year-old Dutchman on how to get the best out of his career. 

“If I have to give him [Malacia] advice, it would be to make sure he finds the right balance between attacking and defending,

"I always say, the perfect left-back has that balance. If you attack too much people will say you don't defend, if you defend too much people will say you don't attack,

“He needs to find that balance and don't think about any comparisons with me. I want Malacia to be Malacia, not the new Patrice Evra. Luke Shaw had the same problem,

“This is my club, but I always want people and the fans to forget Patrice Evra. If the fans still speak about me, I'm glad about it, but it means something is wrong,

Patrice Evra at Manchester United (Image: PA)

"I wish Malacia well and I wish he makes people forget about Patrice Evra.”

Tyrell Malacia is one of two defenders who have been signed by United this summer, with centre-back Lisandro Martinez also joining the side. 

It was Martinez’s partnership with Malacia that received the majority of the praise on Monday night following the aforementioned victory over Liverpool. 

Additionally the two defenders' workload will almost certainly be eased by the signing of Casemiro, following the five-time Champions League winner arriving from Real Madrid.

The Brazil international is expected to be part of United’s matchday squad as the Red Devils head down south to face Southampton early Saturday afternoon.