PATRICE Evra has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson simply warned his players “Don’t f*** up my Sunday” before one encounter with Arsenal.
Only Chelsea faced the Scot more times than the Gunners during his prestigious career, with Arsene Wenger a familiar foe for Fergie.
And former defender Evra, 38, has given an insight into the short shrift his boss gave their opponents in his later years at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the UTD club podcast, the Frenchman revealed: “I remember a game. It was sometime we were playing against Arsenal.
“It was Sunday, it was sunny, and the speech of Ferguson was like 15 seconds.
“He was like, ‘Guys, it’s Sunday, it’s really sunny outside. I don’t want no one to f*** up my Sunday’.
“And you know if you missed a cross or something – you don’t want to be the person to do that.
“Don’t ruin his Sunday. It’s very important for him.”
‘EASY WIN’
Ferguson’s United took on a number of different title rivals during his 27 years in charge and Evra felt Arsenal were the most fun to beat.
When asked on the difference in facing certain challengers, the ex-left-back named the North London outfit without hesitation.
He noted: “I will tell you my philosophy. Manchester City – winning against Manchester City was like winning against a neighbour. They’re making noise, you just win and it’s OK.
“Winning against Chelsea, it was like you’re going to win the league.
“Because I think Chelsea was the only team looking exactly like us. I mean like personality, characters, training, powerful, speed. I will say Chelsea.
“Arsenal – I remember when [Robin] van Persie came. He said: ‘Come on Patrice, come on, you have to motivate everyone, it’s an important game’.
“I was like, ‘Robin, don’t worry, those are my kids – we’re going to win easy’ and we won!”
In all competitions, Evra claimed the victory in 13 of his 21 meetings with the Gunners, scoring in their 2012/13 match in Manchester that United won 2-1.
