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Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra admitted that he stopped holding league titles properly after Sir Alex Ferguson taught him to be a “robot”.
The Frenchman won five league titles during his eight years at Old Trafford and recalled celebrating “like a child” at Mikael Silvestre’s home when he won his first Premier League medal in the 2006/07 season.
After that, though, winning was so normal that Evra believes he never celebrated at the same level.
“I will be honest, when you start to win the third, the fourth and the fifth, you celebrate but not in the same way,” Evra told Manchester United’s official Podcast.
“You celebrate on camera and stuff, but it’s not the same. Ferguson taught us all to be like a robot. I don’t think he was a human being playing for Manchester United. When we won games, when he was doing something good, no I was happy. For me, it was normal.
“I always say that Deschamps taught me that winning is important, but Ferguson taught me that winning is normal. I remember that after great victories against Liverpool, he said: “Well done, son.” He never screamed, other than when we won the Champions League final. It was normal, winning the league. “
The winger strove for United fans during his eight years at the club embracing the culture and understanding the story and explaining why it meant so much to him.
“So every time I put on this shirt, and I know how many people have worn it and won it,” he said. “Respect this tradition, the philosophy. I thought, ‘I can’t let those people down.’ When you play for Manchester United, it’s not for you.
“You don’t use Manchester United, and because you’re a United player that you’re famous for, you’re on social media. You play for United because you have to give to those people.”
“I give you an example: once, when we were in preseason, and before getting on the bus, we were really tired, I will be honest with you, and there was a line of fans. And the players said: when nobody signs, nobody has to sign.
“So we went straight to the bus, everyone, and I look out the window and I see Sir Alex Ferguson signing each autograph. I swear you must have signed for about 45 minutes. He was signing [for] everybody.
I say, ‘Guys, when the boss comes on the bus, we’re done.’ And he came on the bus, gave us the hair dryer. ‘What the hell do you think you are ?! Those people are paying your salary. Those people come to see you. Now get the shit down and sign. And we had to sign every fan. But that’s the mindset.
