Manchester United defender Patrice Evra believes he should not be considered a bad person as he respects opposition and never tackles to hurt a player.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Frenchman explained that just like Eric Cantona he needs “fire” to motivate himself and how he has no issues with Chelsea as all the problems he faced and faces when playing against the Blues is just a coincidence with the left-back also saying that he loves to play and win against a side by him described as a massive rival for trophies.

Asked about the comments made against Arsenal last season, the 29-year old said that he is not a bad boy and never makes a challenge with the intention to hurt a player which according to him was just what Cesc Fabregas did when the two clashed.

Evra said:

It seems every time I play against Chelsea there is something wrong. But really, it is coincidence.

I love to play against Chelsea and I love to win against them because they are a massive rival for the trophies. But I also respect Chelsea.

I remember Eric Cantona saying that while he sometimes could not control his fire he would not have been the same player without it. I am the same. I need the fire.

I am not a bad boy. When I go into a challenge I go to win the ball. Never to hurt someone. It’s why I was upset when Fabregas did it to me at the end of last season. It was probably why I said afterwards that Arsenal were like babies.

I was upset because of the challenge. If you want to hurt someone, you invite them outside, away from the pitch, away from people and the referee. Just me and you. You don’t try to hurt people on the pitch.