David Moyes’s public search for a left-back in the summer seems to have left a sour taste in some peoples’ mouths up at Old Trafford. While Patrice Evra has been the first choice at the club for some time now, the former Everton gaffer is seemingly intent on drafting Leighton Baines into the club whenever possible, and theDaily Express is suggesting that the France international will not be extending his stay at the club past next summer when the 32-year-old’s contract runs out. But can they afford to lose Evra?

United struggled to fill the left-back berth when Dennis Irwin left the club back in 2002 until Sir Alex Ferguson picked up Evra in 2006 from Ligue 1 side Monaco, and he’s been in the side ever since.

He has now racked up 340 games for the Red Devils and become a fans favourite, but he his form started to take a dip last season. The arrival of Alex Buttner rekindled it, though, as he played 34 games of the 38 league ties and created 24 opportunities and scored four goals. Impressive for a defender, yes? Well, not if you compare them to Baines’ statistics. The Toffee’s full-back created 116 chances last term – more than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi put together  – and scored five goals.

This season Evra has made 11 key passes in seven games, while winning 6/11 of his take ons. There is no doubting that he is still first choice up at United, but should Moyes succeed in landing his target then surely it will fast-track Evra’s desprture from the club.

United fans, Evra or Baines?