Fergie explains Evra absence - French full-back taking no part after emotional weekend
Posted Thursday, February 16, 2012 by skysports.com
Patrice Evra: To play no part for United against Ajax following an 'emotional week'
Sir Alex Ferguson opted to rest Manchester United captain Patrice Evra against Ajax following an 'emotional weekend' for the defender.
The Red Devils embark on their UEFA Europa League campaign on Thursday when they take on the Dutch club, but the Frenchman will play no part.
Evra was at the centre of fresh controversy last weekend against Liverpool when Luis Suarez refused to shake his hand at Old Trafford.
The Uruguayan striker was playing his first match against United since returning from an eight-match ban for racially abusing the France international and Evra milked the applause from the home faithful following a 2-1 success.
Ferguson knows the game took a lot out of Evra and with United possessing a strong squad he has opted to omit the full-back from contention against the Amsterdammers.
Emotional
"We rested Patrice Evra. It was an emotional weekend for him so I think this is the right thing to do. It's a strong squad we've got here," said Ferguson.
Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov were also not part of United's squad that travelled to Holland and Ferguson has explained the pair were left out due to injury.
"Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov are injured," he continued.
"Ryan got a knock in the first half against Liverpool on the ankle and Dimitar got an injury in training on Sunday.
"I've got plenty of options up front with Wayne (Rooney), Chicha (Javier Hernandez) and Danny Welbeck. I could also play Ashley Young off the front or Nani through the middle.
"It's better to leave him (Berbatov) behind. It's not a serious injury - he'd be available if I asked him to play - but I thought it better not to risk it, so I left him behind."
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