France suspension hurt Evra a lot, says Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Patrice Evra was treated unfairly in the wake of the events at World Cup 2010.

The defender was part of a players' revolt against then-boss Raymond Domenech following Nicolas Anelka's exclusion from the tournament after a dispute with the national trainer. Evra received a five-game suspension for his part in the strike, and his club coach is of the opinion that such punishment was unjust.

"I spoke with Patrice at the time of the World Cup in South Africa. He suffered a lot - unfairly, in my opinion," Ferguson stated in an interview with RMC Sport.

"He was the spokesman for the entire group. He only expressed his personal view. But he was punished."

The Red Devils left-back was eventually recalled to the France squad by current coach and former United defender Laurent Blanc, and Ferguson revealed that Evra is more than happy with the appointment of the former Bordeaux boss.

He continued: "[Evra] is very happy since Laurent Blanc took the reigns, and is satisfied with the results France have achieved.

"The France national team are more balanced and have again become a winning side. But the two favourites for Euro 2012 are Spain and Germany."