Evra was Moyes’ captain at Manchester United.
Successful Manchester United sides have always had big characters; Robson, Keane, Neville, Ferdinand, Rooney and co. Another one of those leaders in more recent times was Patrice Evra, the French full back who arrived in January 2006 and stayed at the club until 2014.
In Evra’s final season at Old Trafford, David Moyes was manager, having just taken over from Sir Alex Ferguson. It was a forgettable season for United fans and a stark reminder that life after Fergie wouldn’t be the same.
With Moyes getting his managerial career back on track at West Ham, the pair were soon reunited when Evra followed the Scot to West London.
An incident that occurred during the pair’s time at Manchester United meant an alliance in the future would be unlikely at the time.
Before a European away tie in the 2014 season, the United squad were waiting in the VIP departures lounge before jetting off, and David Moyes made it clear to his players that they should resist the temptation of eating the breakfast buffet. Evra, fuming at being told not to devour a bacon roll before a football match, demanded an explanation, which Moyes promptly provided. Evra wasn’t having it though, as he ignored his manager’s orders and ate the breakfast in front of him.
Bearing this in mind, Moyes’ attempts to sign other left-backs, including Leighton Baines and Fabio Coentrão, suggests that the pair didn’t see eye to eye during that season, and makes it all the more strange that the pair reunited at West Ham this winter.
They appear to have made up though, with Moyes singing the praises of the former France international.
“Patrice is one of the finest leaders around the dressing room that I have ever seen,” Moyes said. “He speaks well in everything he does and the way he speaks about the club is great. He is inspirational behind the scenes and reminds all the boys what their jobs and duties are.
“He is great for me and obviously he has been great for the team.”
Moyes and Evra will take on their old side United at the London stadium tonight, at 7:45pm.
