The Manchester United defender was reeling with disappointment on Wednesday night after his side crashed out of the Champions League on away goals to Bayern Munich.
Evra spent a restless night, trying to work out how one of United's best performances of the season should end in such crushing disappointment.
But once the sun came up, as his manager sought solace in the racing game that has proved such a valuable outlet over the years, so Evra began to see the world in a brighter light as well.
Evra realises he might complete a full season and not end up as a league champion for the first time since his £5million arrival from Monaco in January 2006.
However, he is determined that failure will not come without a pretty fierce fight.
"When the league is finished I want to go to the mirror, look at myself and know I have done everything," he said.
"I don't want any regrets.
"It is not about what I expect Chelsea to do. If we want to win the league they need to drop some points.
"But I am focussed on Manchester United.
"Is it difficult for us to win five games in a row? I don't think so. We can do it.
"I was very sad and upset on Wednesday night but when I woke up the next day I realised I had the privilege to win the league again, for the fourth time in a row.
"I am not saying that just to look good. I believe it. I am ready for the fight."
Evra is still struggling to find a precise reason why United ended up losing to Bayern after charging into a three-goal lead.
He is certainly not pinning the blame on defensive colleague Rafael, whose dismissal four minutes into the second half was seen by many as the turning point.
"I hear a lot of people are blaming Rafael," said Evra. "I cannot believe that.
"He is a young player. OK he got the red card but Manchester United can win games with 10 men.
"If something needs to be blamed it is the team. Maybe we did not do the job properly in the first leg.
"I do know it was a huge shock. I was so disappointed and so sad. I have not turned the TV on or read a paper since."
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Ah, if only we had 11 Paddy Evra's in the team. Well 10 Evra's and 1 Wayne Rooney.
I'm with him on the subject of Rafeal. He's going to be our first choice right back next season and this harsh lesson would have done him a world of good.
I still can't believe it Patrice. Three goals up and messed it up, still shaking my head. Bayern have joined the list of Porto, Leverkusen, Monaco and Dortmund; teams that United should have easily handled but once again falling short and under achieving in Europe.
To make things worse in an all ready horrendous week, it looks like the Bin Dippers will go on to claim their ninth European trophy. Makes me sick to the stomach.
Scholesy passed me the ball.., LU:HG
9/04/2010 at 15:49
I agree with you entirely. Rafael will learn from it, he will undoubtedly become a world class right back in 3-4 years!
9 Evra's a Rooney and a VDS otherwise goals would be easy to come by.
well patrice you will be ok when you look in that mirror allsorts have contributed to this season bad luck injuries, certain players not up to scratch, managers decisions even one man up front its doubtful chelsea will be so generous as to hand the title back to us but should they slip you have to win win win and see what happens may be some iceing on the cake yet but you must win win win defeat is not an option
a true leader. what a player paddy is!
another bad decision from fergie looms against blackburn if he chooses to go with berba up front on is own he may get away with it but with neville giggs and scholes not so sure
"why, monsiour Evra, you are really spoiling us" - don't worry Pat, i'm sure by the time you come to look in that mirror you'll be so withered away & exhausted that there won't be a reflection to lambast anyway !!
i prey to god that we sign a back-up left footed LB in the summer, a good overlapping fullback who loves to bomb on, ala Pat himself and give our petite meastro some R&R next season !!
Within 2-3 years Rafael will be the best attacking right back in the World.He had Ribery in his pocket the other night and he is only 19 years old.To win the League we have to win all our 5 games to stand a chance.So if we drop point's on Sunday then it's game over for another season.We can do it though!
Patrice,
We lost because : -
- SaF did not replace a striker who was patently injured and unable to move ( apart from his thumbs up ) until it was too late.
- Carrick and Fletcher faded after the bright start and the Germans immediately took control of the midfield ( even before the third goal by Nani.
- Raphael has a tendency towards hotheadedness ( which he will grow out of ) and SaF should have replaced him at halftime once he had been booked.
- Most alarmingly, there was no leadership on the field when our backs went up against the wall, no cajolling, shouting, fist waving Keane - alike.
Patrice Evra is hero of all Man U.
He no let Glaser poke joke in our faces like his dogs dinner. Evra go tell Mr Gill to stop being namby pampy cry baby who can’t beat his way around the bush and recuperate the situation.
Ok I understand if we fighting platoon of crac military defense force but we not. It Glaser who is old man and only have puney sons for back up. Do I have to spell it out it G L A E S R for crying out allowed. He is man who act like crazy slapstick comedian with broken banjo not some special patrol spy guy agent. Why you scared Mr Gill?
Does Glaser not know who he is making fight with? This is not put em up fist argy bargy in saloon of some big cowboy film you wiseguys. This is famous Man U in whole of Manchester. No lee van cleef here mister with bad acting and fake punches. Be very aware what you dream for maybe because one day you get too much than you can chew. If you not hear me straight I say it again. If you want big gurkha tank battle buddy we got one ready for you. We swoop in from behind emeny lines like dogs of courage to thrill you in your limey boots. We maybe even get badges for bravory and guts.
Mr Gill you need to here me good. Stop ignoring my letters and put together crac team to put gumboot in crusty wash pants of Glaser. Don’t sit on your chubby legs go and find red knights for christ sakes.
That's a pretty touching article. Patrice, he's a really nice lad. Top player of course, and very sincere. For me he's already the best left back ever to don a United shirt, Irwin second.
For Eric's sake, are we SURE this guy wasn't born in Salford? He truly "gets" what it means to wear the red shirt...our Paddy's not a Frog, he's a Manc.
"SaF should have replaced him at halftime once he had been booked"
Hindsight is great but I wouldn't have replaced him on his form in the first half. He was one of our two best players. Replacing him at half time would have been a truly baffling decision.
Patrice, my admiration for you has no bounds. You will surely go down in the annals of Manchester United history.
Alex Charles at 17.12, I won't fall out with you, mate, because I understand what you honestly mean; but I will simply say that Patrice is worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Denis Irwin and Roger Byrne. I could not give our current left back a higher compliment!!!
WHAT A MAN Patrice is!!!
He's also a FABULOUS player!!
He seems to understand the meaning of being a Red and understands the history & mentaility of the club!!
For me he's been the MOST CONSISTENT player this season!!
Gives all and that he hates chel$ki is for me a bonus!!!
Love the guy!!
Allez Patrice!!
Come On You Reds
Duncan, London
Agree
What a player!!
He epitomises what it is to be United!!
I can say also that I had lettle sleep ans STILL cannot believe waht's happened!!
Cést football!
Balders, we got Fabio
Hardly touching but certainly divine righteous!
Bayern were the better team over two legs,Chelsea were definately the better team the game before.
Accept defeat like men not sour bitter and twisted children complaining about bad luck and poor refereeing.I am amazed the Glazer family weren't blamed for this poor run of results thats a major surprise it really is...... Blackburn may roll over tomorrow but CIty wont next weekend make no mistake about that!!!!!
My god do I adore Mr. Woo:
"Mr Gill you need to here me good. Stop ignoring my letters and put together crac team to put gumboot in crusty wash pants of Glaser."
Here, here!
Regarding Pat....You truly are a hero to all. You deserve a rest.
What a crew ManU have got. We have Evra, Rooney, Nani, Rafael, Valencia, all the new kids and now we have Mr Woo to top them all. We can't lose!
MOM for the Blackburn game........MR WOO! ........before the kick off!
Evra is one of the finest left backs in the history of United. For me Dennis Irwin was probably the better in that he scored more goals. Evra this season together with Rooney, has been United's most consistent player. No wonder he looked tired on Wednesday night after playing all season without a rest.
For the game against Blackburn I would play JOS to enable Evra to have his much needed break. I would also play Raphael and Scholes but not one of the other "oldies".
We need to play Macheda and Diouf to add some energy to the forward line. now is the time to see what they are made of. It's sink or swim time.
LUHG