PALS ... but Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney will be rivals at Euro 2012

PATRICE EVRA claims the best thing about facing England in their opening clash of Euro 2012 is the absence of his Manchester United team-mate Wayne Rooney.

England’s talismanic striker is banned for the opening two games against France and Sweden.

And Evra is glad not to have to mark a player he admits is capable of destroying any team.

Evra said: “It’s one less problem France will have to deal with as we look to make an impact in the tournament.

“Naturally, I sympathise with Rooney. It’s a massive blow for England losing him for the opening two games.

“But I’m not going to sit here and say I’m sorry I don’t have to mark him.

“Rooney is the type of player you want on your side, he’s not someone I’m too keen to be playing against because I know the impact he can have.

“On his day he is one of the best strikers in the world so when you are facing opponents weakened by the loss of a star player you try to take advantage.”

For Evra the opening game against England is vital if France are to live up to expectations.

The left-back added: “It’s important to start well so the game against England is crucial.

“It’s not going to be easy for either England or France but that’s not to say the expectation on either side is lessened.

“There is always pressure to perform and have a good tournament but the expectations of other people are no less than the pressure we put on ourselves.

“Failure doesn’t sit comfortably with any player. We are going into this with an open mind but we aspire to meet with success and it will be no different for England.

“Beating England would mean much more than three points to us. It will lay down a marker, it will give the team vital confidence going into the next game.

“Our priority at this stage is to ensure we reach the quarter-finals and then take it from there.”

Evra accepts the competition at the Euros will be fierce — but refuses to rule out France or England lifting the trophy.

He said: “It’s all about the usual suspects like Spain, Germany, Holland and Italy. But why not France and England?

“There is no point having a negative attitude. All you can do is play to the best of your ability and if that isn’t good enough it’s hard to be held accountable if you don’t win.

“People forget that sometimes in football your opponents are better. It’s not a case of you were worse than them, that you failed because you didn’t play well.

“And to win a major tournament there is always an element of luck involved.” For France it will be an ideal opportunity to put behind a disastrous World Cup in 2010. But Evra claims that is long forgotten.

He said: “The World Cup is a distant memory. Things are completely different now.

“We have a new coach and some young players of great influence.

“I’m not going into this tournament feeling I or anyone else have a point to prove.

“You could say the same about England, but it is pointless dwelling on the past, you just have to move on.”

Evra openly admits he was shocked by the departure of Fabio Capello and feels England’s preparations for the tournament are bound to have been disrupted.

He added: “I was surprised, like many people. It didn’t come at a good time when England had performed so well under him during qualifications.

“And it’s not easy stepping in like Roy Hodgson has. They say there is no pressure but there is always pressure on England managers.

“The longer you go on without winning a major tournament the harder it becomes but with England there always seems to be unrealistic expectations.

“Sometimes it’s hard for the players to cope with that.

“But Hodgson is a very good coach with vast experience so I’m sure England will give a good account of themselves.”

After a disappointing season with Manchester United, Evra is looking to the Euros with even more reason to meet with some success.

He said: “Of course the way the campaign ended left a very bad taste in my mouth.

“It was not a good campaign for Manchester United. It’s unusual to finish a campaign at Manchester United without a trophy.

“So perhaps it will give me an extra incentive to do well with France.

“I believe if we play to our strengths and stay focused we might surprise a few people.

“I’m not of a mind to make promises I can’t keep but we are certainly going into this with quiet optimism.”