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Hot wheels! United stars arrive for work in new Chevrolets after £357m sponsor deal
By Jon Harris, Cavendish Press
..Manchester United fans did a double take on Monday as their heroes arrived for work in a fleet of brand new Chevrolets.
Five Old Trafford favourites turned up in similar models of the vehicle after the club struck a £357m sponsorship with the American car giants.
Chevrolet agreed a deal last year to become United's official shirt sponsor from the 2014-15 season and General Motors offered up their flashy motors to the squad as a gesture of goodwill.
Patrice Evra, Jonny Evans, Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley took delivery of their 184mph Chevrolet Camaro whilst Javier Hernandez acquired a Corvette.
Looking good: Javier Hernandez in his Chevrolet Corvette
Colourful: Tom Cleverley leaves Carrington in his red and black Chevrolet
Flash: Left back Patrice Evra leaves Manchester United's training ground
Paul Scholes also got a £40,000 Chevrolet - but it was stolen from his driveway soon afterwards when he left the engine running whilst he defrosted the windows.
Last August manager Sir Alex Ferguson warned players under the age of 23 - no matter their standing in the team - should be allowed to order a sporty Chevrolet model.
But he later took delivery of his own Chevrolet - a hybrid Volt which can travel up to 50 miles on its battery power alone, before its back-up petrol engine comes into play.
Chevrolet is currently Manchester United’s Official Automotive Partner and will become the club’s shirt sponsor beginning with the 2014/2015 season.
Different: Defender Jonny Evans in a white version of the Chevrolet
Speedy: Antonio Valencia at the training ground in his black Chevrolet with a white bonnet
A number of other staff have also received Chevrolet models as part of the seven-year partnership agreement between the club and General Motors.
These include former World Champion and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, who received a seven-seater Chevrolet Captiva.
Meanwhile, defender Jonny Evans knows the pressure will be on for both sides when Manchester United tackle Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Real coach Jose Mourinho underlined the importance of this week’s Champions League showdown at the Bernabeu when he said it is a match ‘the whole world wants to see’.
And, whilst Evans and his team-mates will be doing their best to shield themselves from the hype surrounding the fixture, the Northern Ireland defender knows it cannot completely be avoided.
‘You don’t get to appreciate it as a player,’ he said.
‘You miss the build-up because you are trying to keep your head down and making sure you are physically and mentally right.
‘But we do know the pressure will be heightened and all the eyes are on us.
‘I suppose Real Madrid have always had that. They are expected and if they don’t do it, there is uproar.
‘But we have that pressure on us. I am sure it will be a great occasion and everyone is looking forward to it as much as we are.’
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