Patrice Evra insists the arrival of Alexander Buttner has not put him under extra pressure as he has always been fighting for his place at Manchester United.
The France international has been firmly established at left-back for United in recent seasons and a perceived lack of competition for his spot prompted criticism of his form last term.
United brought in Buttner before the close of the transfer window and the Dutchman is expected to rival Evra for a spot in the side.
Yet Evra does not feel under any more pressure to perform because Buttner is breathing down his neck as he has always pushed himself to succeed.
“Football is like a pyramid,” he said. “It is easy to reach the top of the pyramid but to stay there is the hardest part.
“It is too easy for people to say that now we have bought another left-back Patrice Evra will have to fight for his place. Patrice Evra has always fought for his place.
“If someone is there or not I will fight because you have to respect the shirt. When you play for Manchester United that is the big challenge.”
Evra admits he was unaware of any criticism of his performances last season and is adamant competition for a place at Old Traffordis nothing new.
“I am not the kind of guy who reads the papers or goes on to the internet,” he added.
“When I am not playing I just stay with my family so I wasn’t aware of personal criticism.
“It is the first time I have heard that and I don’t like it.
“But when I hear people say Patrice never had someone to fight him for his place I think they have bad memories.
“They forget very quickly how I got to become Manchester United’s left-back. I fought with two great players in Gabriel Heinze and Mikael Silvestre.”
