Patrice Evra is still "hurt" that Manchester United did not appoint Antonio Conte as manager.
The five-time Premier League champion, who also won three League Cups and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, was a Juventus player under Conte.
Patrice Evra admits that Antonio Conte's impressive impact at Tottenham Hotspur rather than Manchester United has "hurt" his heart.
The five-time Premier League champion, who also won three League Cups and the Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, was a Juventus player under Conte.
He believes the Italian multiple-title winner is on track to transform Tottenham into a Premier League superpower.
"It breaks my heart," he admitted. "Because I believe Conte, Klopp, and Guardiola are the best managers in the world right now, and we could have had him at Manchester United."
"However, some clubgoers said, 'It's not our style, it's not what we're looking for.'"
"Let's see, we now have Erik ten Hag. Let's see what he comes up with. He has my full support. But, even if you brought in a chef, as Man United's manager, he'd have my full support."
Conte was passed over by United when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired last November.
Club officials insisted he was not a good fit and instead appointed interim manager Ralf Rangnick. United missed out on the top four despite having a superior squad.
Conte transformed a shambolic Tottenham team into one that was consistent enough to qualify for the Champions League.
The north Londoners have been so impressed that they have made an additional £150 million available for the man who has also led Chelsea and Inter Milan to title success while erasing large points deficits.
Conte has begun to dismantle Tottenham's current squad, bringing in £25 million midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton, as well as winger Ivan Perisic and goalkeeper Fraser Forster on free transfers from Inter Milan and Southampton, respectively.
Conte's goal for next season is to launch a surprise title challenge, and Evra, whose love for United is well documented in his book, I Love The Game, added: "It's a massive disappointment because he could have done something at Man Utd."
"As you can see, he assisted Tottenham apply for a Champions League spot."
"They have the same players, which is why this manager is brilliant." When I first arrived at Juventus, every single player said to me, 'Patrice, this guy is a genius.'
"He's addicted to football, he's so into it." So you're going to have to run really fast. He'll make you perspire. But, if you look at the Tottenham fans, they are overjoyed because, win or lose, the players now give everything. That is Antonio Conte's mentality.
"That's why I say it hurts a bit." Not because I resent Tottenham - I admire every team - but because Conte could have done something."
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