• FA Cup

Ferguson could hand captaincy to Evra for Anfield return

ESPN staff
January 26, 2012
Patrice Evra is expected to start for Manchester United at Anfield © PA Photos
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Sir Alex Ferguson is considering handing the captain's armband to defender Patrice Evra as Manchester United prepare for their FA Cup clash against Liverpool.

United return to Anfield for the first time since Evra's race row with Luis Suarez, which saw the Liverpool striker banned for eight matches. Suarez is still suspended, but despite warnings that Evra could be in for a hostile reception, the Frenchman has told his manager he has no fears about the match.

With club captain Nemanja Vidic out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Evra has been stand-in captain in recent weeks, and Ferguson believes the defender demonstrates the right qualities to lead the team.

"I think one of your players who has been playing all the time should be in the forefront to be captain, and that was the case with Patrice," Ferguson said.

"He's a very popular player with a good personality, which is important to have if you're captain of a club like ours. He's very friendly and has got a good humour about him, but he's also quite a determined lad.

"Rio [Ferdinand] would have been captain if he hadn't had all those inconsistencies in terms of his injuries. Patrice has got different qualities to Rio.

"He's not as voluble, but certainly influences a lot of things, and his own team performance, for instance, is very good."

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