Van Gaal wants Evra to stay at Manchester United

The France defender is weighing up offers from Italian giants Juventus and Inter but his new manager at Old Trafford is hoping he will extend his stay to a 10th season

EXCLUSIVE
By Duncan Castles

Newly-appointed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has asked Patrice Evra to extend his Old Trafford career into a 10th season, Goal understands.

The Netherlands coach rates the left-back highly and is keen to retain the Frenchman's leadership qualities with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand heading for the exit.

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While Van Gaal has approved United's attempt to sign Luke Shaw from Southampton, his plan is to split left-back duties between the teenage England international and Evra, who started more Premier League fixtures than any other United outfield player last season.

Evra, 33, triggered a unilateral option to extend a contract worth over £6 million annually into a fourth season with his appearance record under the Dutchman's sacked predecessor, David Moyes.

According to a close friend of the player, Evra has yet to make a final decision on where he will play next season. However, his emotional ties to United are such he is leaning towards rejecting the opportunity to return to Serie A with Juventus and carry on in Premier League football.

Evra also remains a target of Juve's Serie A rivals Inter, who have already secured the services of the Frenchman's now former Manchester United team-mate Vidic.

The former Monaco defender joined United in 2006 and has enjoyed a highly-successful spell in England, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League once.