Patrice Evra has pledged to support Wayne Rooney as he tries to reintegrate himself at Manchester United following his flirtation with a move.
In a dramatic week of contract wrangling, Rooney initially stated his clear desire to leave Old Trafford before performing a U-turn and signing a new five-year deal on Friday.
Evra was widely reported earlier that day as saying: "If one player in the team does not trust the others, he should not play in the team."
But the full-back, currently suspended from the France national team over his role as captain in their World Cup debacle, told the Sunday Mirror: "I know from experience that I could be in his situation one day and so could everyone. We are always open to him if he needs our help."
Central to Rooney's push for a move away was a claim that the club, burdened with debt ever since the Glazer family's takeover, could no longer match his ambition by attracting the world's top players.
And Evra acknowledged: "I myself would not play for this club if I knew we were not strong enough to win the league. That is why we all play for Manchester United.
"At this moment, I think everyone just needs to focus on their own job again and we will see at the end of the season. I agree with the criticism that United have not had the winning mentality this season.
"We draw, we win and then we draw again and, of course, people will talk about this not being the same United because we are already behind Chelsea in the league.
"I know this is not normal for us, but after what has happened this week we need to make sure we win against Stoke and then everything will look better.
"I only stay in Manchester to win trophies and my message is that if people think that United are finished they are making a big mistake. I say this because it is the truth and I believe it."
