From a nightmare debut in a Manchester derby, Patrice Evra has gone on to become a world-class left-back who fears no one. But he's happy to keep learning

Patrice Evra likes to smile, enjoys a laugh, revels in a wind-up. Today's target: Rio Ferdinand. Fellow Manchester United defender, sometime television presenter, all-times style-conscious modern sportsman. Yet, it appears, second-best to a certain Frenchman as dressing room DJ.

'I fight with Rio because all the time he's saying he's got better songs,' Evra says. 'But my iPod is the best in the dressing room. I say that because it's the truth. They ask me because I have different songs. I can put the hip-hop song, I can put the rock song. I mix the song for everybody in the dressing room - not just for myself or for some guys; for everybody. I want to see everybody happy when I put my iPod on before the game. When the players say, "Come on Pat, put your iPod on," I know the game starts now.'

Evra won't reveal which hip-hop number best pleases Sir Alex Ferguson, but lets slip the favoured status of one Yves Larock dance anthem. 'You know the one,' he says, breaking into song. "'My dream is to fly - over the rainbow - so high." "Rise Up" is a good song. Sometimes people say, "Pat, it's too high," but I say "no problem" and I put the volume higher.'

Despite his musical expertise, Evra is some way off being the most celebrated member of a team who are holders of the Champions League and Premier League, a team sculpted from some of the world game's most talented young footballers. This is partly by design; an unjustified lack of confidence in speaking English steering him away from domestic media activities for most of his 34 months in Manchester. It has nothing to do with the way he plays the game. Athleticism, speed and comfort on the ball make him central to both defence and attack - United win 10 per cent more games and concede a third fewer goals when Evra is present.

Voted the Premier League's best left-back in 2006-07 by his fellow players, the 27-year-old has developed into one of the finest exponents of an increasingly important discipline. Long gone is the nauseous, ill-prepared ingénu bashed up by Manchester City just four days after signing from Monaco in January 2006. 'Patrice has developed into one of the best full-backs in world football,' Ferguson says. 'And his infectious personality has helped build an incredible team spirit.'

Born in Dakar, Senegal, but raised in the tough Parisian quartier of Les Ulis as one of a Senegalese diplomat's 24 offspring, Evra learned the meanings of loyalty and teamwork from an early age. He has been with his wife Sandra for 14 years, meeting at school and emigrating to Italy together, as the then unrated striker struggled to establish himself. 'My first girlfriend, and I hope my last,' says a laughing Evra, who clearly does not intend to emulate his thrice-divorced father. 'Twenty-four brothers and sisters - I say my daddy did not watch the TV, he had some occupation more important! When I'm on the phone the players joke. Cristiano says, "Hey Pat, this is the number 20? This is the number four?"'

The relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo is typical of the warmth Evra has for his team-mates. A friendship that goes far beyond professional co-operation. 'We're very close because he's a good guy and I like when people enjoy every day,' the France defender says. 'We joke about the clothes, and when my English is not the best he takes the piss out of me. When Cristiano comes into training he's always smiling; you just give him the ball. Maybe he watches TV with the ball, he sleeps with the ball, he eats with the ball. Even when we do bike work he tries to do some skill with the ball. It's just unbelievable when you're training with him. But all the time I'm saying, "Cristiano, if you do some skill and I feel shame around the people, I'll give you the bad tackle..."'

Again the Evra grin, though he acknowledges the benefits of working daily with Ronaldo. Evra was a wilfully reluctant convert to defending, and it was not until he reached the Champions League final with Monaco, in 2004, that he reconciled himself to the left-back role. Part of his effectiveness is a recognition that he is still mastering the art.

'The most important thing I think is the balance. If you're getting forward a lot of people say, "Ah, but he's not defending very well." If you defend well people say, "Yeah, but he's not going forward for some good crosses." It is a difficult position, but I like it because you touch the ball a lot. You're important. I understand now why the left-back is the good position.

'I remember when I played against Barcelona people told me, "Messi, Messi, he's a great player." I didn't say to nobody but in my head I was thinking, "If I'm training against Cristiano, why can't I play against Lionel Messi?" It helps you a lot, you feel like you are a good defender because when you stop a player like Cristiano Ronaldo in training you feel more confident. I can play against every winger or striker.

'The secret is just to get close, to not let him have the first touch. If he goes quickly with the ball it is very difficult to stop a player like Messi or Cristiano. You need to get in strong and close. Not foul, but strong and close. And after you can enjoy your game. But if you let him get with the ball, and let him run at you it's very difficult. Cristiano, I think nobody can stop him if he's running. Nobody can stop a player like that.'

Ferguson may argue otherwise after another summer stymieing the winger's wanderlust. Instead, a less celebrated Portuguese departed Old Trafford, though the loss was still significant. 'Honestly, Carlos Queiroz was very important for the squad because he knew very well the tactics,' says Evra, a beneficiary of Queiroz's ability with the French language and his daily defensive coaching.

'I remember the semi-final against Barcelona away when he was speaking with everybody before the second half. The tactic was to have the team very compact and to let Barcelona play with the ball. He said possession didn't matter. "Stay compact and when you win the ball go forward as quickly as possible." I was feeling the team very strong at Barcelona, and I think this was the work of Carlos Queiroz. Tactically he brought something important to Man United."

United resume their defence of the European Cup when Celtic visit Old Trafford on Tuesday. One reason they hold the trophy, argues Evra, is because they have been taught to approach Champions League matches in a more conservative manner than domestic games. 'You can't play the European game the same. The boss says it as well. It's totally different because in Europe you have to have 100 per cent concentration. If you miss one control, you lose the ball, they score. It's like that.

'We work a lot tactically in training as well. You see the video a lot after your game - the boss shows you your mistake. In the league you do the video just three hours before the game, but Champions League you do the video two days before the game, one day before the game and the day of the game. Three sessions. This is why I say the team is more mature now - because everybody understands that you can't play the same way the European game as the League game.'

Different rhythms, but Evra is master of both.