Monaco loss motivates Manchester United's Evra

By Pete Oliver

MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Losing the Champions League final with Monaco in 2004 is a malaise Patrice Evra said on Friday he hoped to cure with a Manchester United victory.

Evra also wants United to beat Chelsea in the Moscow final on Wednesday to reward long-serving manager Alex Ferguson, whose sole success in the competition from his 21 years at Old Trafford came nine years ago.

"Since I lost the final it's been in my mind every day," France international defender Evra told reporters.

"That's why, when I signed for Manchester United, I said in my first interview I just want to play in the Champions League and win to cancel this bad memory with Monaco.

"It's my second final but I can't just play this game. I need to win this game."

The 27-year-old added: "It's very important for Manchester United because it's a long time since 1999.

"And for Alex Ferguson. It's just his second final in the Champions League and I think a manager like that deserves to win it more than once.

"This is why I hope that everyone gets the present for him, out of respect for what he has done for Manchester United."