Patrice Evra reveals how Manchester United 'dinosaurs' inspired him more than Cristiano Ronaldo

The Frenchman played with plenty of big names during his eight years at Old Trafford.

Patrice Evra has revealed how Manchester United’s “dinosaurs” inspired him more than Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United.

The Frenchman of course spent eight years at Old Trafford, helping United to five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time with the club.

And he played alongside some of the biggest names in United’s history, including the likes of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

Although Ronaldo has gone on to become one of the greatest players of all time since Evra last played alongside him, it was the veteran trio that made perhaps the biggest impact on him during his time at United.

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Asked who the best trainer was during his time at the club, Evra recalled a brilliant story of how Giggs, Scholes and Neville inspired him.

“I feel blessed and lucky to train with them and also for them to train with me,” Evra told talkSPORT.

“Many people say ‘Patrice, who was the best player in training to play with’ and they expect me to say Cristiano [Ronaldo] or Wayne [Rooney].

“I always mention Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes because of their consistency. I have a little story and it is inspiring.

“We were in training and we had a game on Saturday. On Friday, the doctor said ‘Patrice, it is better we don’t take any risks and you don’t train today’.

“I was in with the physio and I saw Ryan Giggs, he had a back problem and was doing some stretching and just went outside.

“Next, it was Paul Scholes. He had a problem with his knee and was limping and he went outside.

“Gary Neville, he had a problem with his calf and was stretching, doing a massage, and he went outside.

“In one moment I was speaking to myself, ‘if those three dinosaurs are going outside, then I’m not going to stay inside on the massage table’.

“I put my football boots on and the physio told me I couldn’t train, but I went outside and trained. Next day I played and had a good game.

“That’s why sometimes, I don’t like to blame the next generation if they don’t have a character or personality to inspire them.”