Manchester United hero Patrice Evra is denying disparaging his career with France.

The former Les Bleus captain was quoted this week declaring he regretted playing for France over Senegal.

"If I could go back, I would choose to represent my native country, Senegal, instead of France," he was quoted saying. "One of the painful lessons I learned with this choice is that when you play well and you win, you are French; when the team loses, you are considered Senegalese."

However, a close friend told RMC last night the remarks 'were distorted and not faithful to reality'.

Evra was born in Dakar, Senegal, before his family moved to France.