Evra: I had to believe

Patrice Evra wasn't prepared to contemplate a second Champions League final defeat but admits he was scared it would become reality during the dramatic penalty shoot-out against Chelsea.

With Cristiano Ronaldo missing his spot-kick to allow the blues to take the lead, Evra feared he would experience a repeat of Monaco’s final loss against FC Porto in 2004.

Inspired to succeed by the disappointment of that loss, the Reds left-back remained confident that United would turn it around, although now he finally has a winners’ medal it is taking time to sink in.

“I can’t believe I am a champion,” a delighted Evra told MUTV. “I never stopped believing we would win this competition, but I was scared a little bit when Ronny missed his penalty.

“The experience with Monaco helped me a lot. I said to myself that I couldn’t lose a second final. If we had lost the match I would have asked the boss not to play me in the Champions League next year. To lose two finals would have been hard to take.”

Fortunately Evra won’t be having that conversation with the boss. Instead he said the team were inspired to win by the manager’s dedication to United for over 20 years.

“I am very happy, the atmosphere in the dressing room was great and it was a big present for Sir Alex Ferguson because he deserves it for working so hard for United,” he said.

“It is unbelievable, but I think we deserve it. We have the squad, talent and spirit in this team.”

Having won the Premier League and Champions League in only his second full season at Old Trafford, Evra is now eyeing another double - a new United contract and success with France this summer.

Quotes attributed to Patrice in the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph read:

"Negotiations over an extension to my contract have dragged on a bit. We will have another meeting on May 29 but the ball is in the club's court. They know what has already been agreed so we will see what happens. A lot of clubs are interested in me."

As for his chances of playing for France at Euro 2008, Evra says:

"I'm not going to expect a place in the starting XI just because I'm a European (club) champion.

"I've come here with more confidence and I'm going to show that. But I don't feel like an international. I don't even have 10 caps, I've only got nine. An international is someone who has had a great tournament."