United Defender Pinpoints Reasons for Wanting Summer Exit

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra will leave the club in the summer after claiming he will refuse to sign a new contract at Old Trafford.

The France international joined United in 2005 and has enjoyed a successful nine seasons at the club, winning five league titles and the Champions League among ten major honours.

Evra's form has dwindled of late but despite United's pursuit of Everton full back Leighton Baines, the 32 year old was expected to pen a contract extension prior to the end of the season.

However, the Frenchman has revealed he wants to leave the club in the summer, citing "personal reasons" as his motivation.

"No, not at all [concerned]," Evra told Telefoot. "It is a personal thing.

"It is not that Manchester United do not want me to sign a new contract.

"This whole thing is personal. Manchester United would like me to finish my career there, but this is something personal."

United are expected to make a third bid for Baines in January and in the knowledge that Evra is wishing to leave the club next summer, their pursuit of the England man may intensify.

Currently, Evra is in hot water with the French Football Federation having been summoned to a hearing with president Noel Le Graet and manager Didier Deschamps in which he will be asked to explain comments he made regarding former players.

Ex-France internationals Bixente Lizarazu and Luis Fernandez, who have both been critical of Evra of late, were labelled "bums" by the United defender and he could be forced to issue a public apology as a result.

The incident represents the second occasion Evra has found himself in trouble with the FFF after he was banned for five matches for leading a strike during the 2010 World Cup finals.

Evra remains the first-choice full back for France under Deschamps but the nation are as yet not guaranteed a place at next year's World Cup, with a play-off tie against Ukraine to come next month.