Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits he's been delighted with the form of fullback Patrice Evra this season.

Ferguson puts Evra on par with Wayne Rooney as the club's outstanding performer this term.

He told MUTV: "I think if you look at the defensive situation for a start, everyone was aware that our back four was decimated throughout the season at various times, and only Patrice Evra has played right through the whole season.

"We gave him a rest from the starting eleven for the Blackburn game but he's played in every league match and that's an astonishing achievement. I'm thankful we had him for all those games. So he comes into that category of having a truly outstanding season."