Evra came 'very close' to rejoining United until move was blocked

Patrice Evra was keen to make a return to Manchester United until an unidentified figure at the club prevented the French defender from reuniting with his former team.

The 35-year-old was considering his options once the January transfer window opened after struggling for playing time at Juventus. Before eventually joining Marseille, he said, he spoke with manager Jose Mourinho, but his potential return to Old Trafford was blocked.

"I was very close to a return to Manchester United," he told Sky Italia, as translated by ESPN FC.

"I also spoke with Mourinho but there was a person, whose name I will not say, who probably did not like the idea of my return.

"Even the fans were enthusiastic and would have been delighted, but because I realised that they (the club) would not do anything I then asked my agent to look for other teams.

"Marseille immediately won me over with their project and immediately created a great feeling."

Evra enjoyed a trophy-laden career in Manchester before moving on to Italy, where he continued to hoist silverware, helping Juventus win back-to-back Serie A titles.

As the winter transfer window drew to a close, Evra agreed to return to his homeland when he put pen to paper on an 18-month contract with Marseille.