Patrice Evra makes unexpected claim when asked to name toughest winger he faced at Man United

Patrice Evra insists James Milner was a 'machine' and the toughest winger he has ever played against.

Evra spent 20 years facing up against dangerous wide men across Europe, enjoying the most successful spell of his career at Manchester United between 2006 and 2014. The former France international became one of the world's best in his position during those years at Old Trafford.

During his time at United, the Premier League had started to draw in more and more world-class talent, while his regular participation in the Champions League saw him pitted against the best wingers in the world. But, while players like Lionel Messi brought plenty of challenges, Evra admits he struggled the most against Milner.

Asked who the toughest winger he's ever faced was, Evra told the Thinking Football summit: "Every time people think I'll say Ronaldo or Messi but it's James Milner of Liverpool, because I'm an attacking full-back and he was defending me more than attacking. It was frustrating my game, always in the challenge, in the air.

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"He was playing for City, then after he went to Liverpool and every time at the end of the game I was frustrated. Even when I was going to the toilet he was following me to the toilet. He doesn't stop, he's so underrated. He’s a machine."

Milner is still going at 37 years old, having joined Brighton & Hove Albion as a free agent earlier this summer. The England international was released by Liverpool when his contract expired.

Having drifted into central midfield during his latter years, Milner began his career as a pacey winger. He broke through at boyhood club Leeds United as a teenager, making his first-team debut for the West