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MANCHESTER, England (AP)—Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has a signed a contract extension through the 2013-14 season.

The 29-year-old Frenchman has made 226 appearances since joining United in January 2006, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.

“Patrice is unquestionably one of the world’s best left backs,” United manager Alex Ferguson said Monday. “He has developed into a key character in the dressing room and it is great that he has committed himself to the club.

“His experience and skill will be increasingly important to us.”

The former Monaco player said he chose to stay at Old Trafford to win more titles.

“The fans, the players, the manager and the staff all work hard to make this club the best in the world,” Evra said on United’s website. “I have won a lot in the last five years, but I want to win more.”

Labels: Defender, signs, United, until

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists his side have the advantage over Sparta Prague following the 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Europa League tie in the Czech Republic.

The stand-in Reds captain believes his side are in pole position ahead of the second leg at Anfield next week despite not getting an away goal.

He told Five: "A goalless draw away from home is always a decent result but you would like the away goal of course.

"But it is advantage us. We just have to make sure they don't get the away goal now."

Kenny Dalglish took charge of his first European game as Liverpool manager nd despite the stalemate, Carragher is not worried by the lack of goals.

He added: "The last few weeks we have been winning games and scoring goals, but tonight we haven't done that.

"In Europe it is a slightly different game, especially with two legs but we are quite pleased with a 0-0 draw."

Liverpool, who were without the injured Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Andy Carroll and the cup-tied Luis Suarez, will now fancy their chances of getting a positive result at Anfield.

Carragher continued: "The manager changed a few players around so it was a good experience for a few players.

"But now we just have to make sure we do the job at Anfield."

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Labels: Advantage, after, Carragher, Defender, Goalcom, Jamie, Liverpool, Prague, Sparta, Stalemate