Evra targets Barca, part III

PATRICE Evra wants the chance to tackle Barcelona again in next season’s Champions League final.

After suffering their second defeat on such an occasion in three years at Wembley on Saturday, Manchester United could be forgiven for wanting to avoid the Catalans for a little while.

As Barcelona’s average age is younger than their own, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side might wonder if it is possible for them ever to get the better of Lionel Messi and company, who destroyed them with an awesome passing display.

However, rather than be fearful, Evra is already steeling himself for the challenge of a rematch in Munich 12 months from now.

“Manchester United never die,” he said.

“We are not afraid. I want to come back to the final and play against Barcelona again.

“Manchester United had a good season. Not a great season because we didn’t win on Saturday night.

“But we have still won the league and we are going to win the league again next year, and make sure we win the Champions League as well.”

United’s players and officials had to shrug off their disappointment pretty swiftly as it was estimated 150,000 supporters turned out for their trophy parade today, when their 19th Premier League title was celebrated.

Whether record signing Dimitar Berbatov was there remained to be seen.

Berbatov was in the defeated United dressing room after Saturday evening’s 3-1 defeat despite reports to the contrary.

But this most thoughtful of individuals must now be wondering what the future holds after discovering a share of the Golden Boot does not even get a place among the substitutes in a United squad which ended up being outplayed.

Berbatov’s replacement on the bench, Michael Owen, is among those who could be saying goodbye as his two–year contract is at an end, while a decision is still awaited from Paul Scholes over his plans for next season.

There will be no turning back for Edwin van der Sar, though, whose stellar career is finally at an end, the 40–year–old set to take some time off and delay completion of his coaching badges.

“I have done some coaching badges in England and have put myself forward to do that in Holland as well, but I am not sure if I am going to finish them,” he said.

“Maybe it is too soon. I want to take a year out and do some nice things.”