Find out why Patrice Evra has been sitting next to Man United’s owner during matches

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has taken his place next to Ed Woodward in the stands for a couple of Red Devils fixtures in recent weeks.

The Frenchman still lives in London after his stint with West Ham last season and was at the London Stadium to see the Hammers beat United 3-1 with executive vice-chairman Woodward.

The pair also sat alongside one another at Stamford Bridge for the 2-2 draw between United and Chelsea just a few weeks later.

Evra was seen sharing a joke with close friend and compatriot Paul Pogba and shaking hands with Jose Mourinho after walking with the United squad past the mixed zone towards the team bus after the Chelsea fixture.

It had led to speculation he could be set for a return to Old Trafford in a non-playing capacity - even though he has still to officially hang up his boots.

United are set to appoint a technical director for the first time in the club's history, but it is understood Evra is not in line for the job.

A source close to the 37-year-old told the Manchester Evening News: "It is just two friends catching up."

Woodward wanted to keep Evra in 2014 when he departed the Theatre of Dreams, offering the left-back a fresh two-year deal, but Evra's wife, Sandra, had her heart set on a move away.

He moved to Juventus where he won two Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia crowns before short spells with Marseille and West Ham.

Evra played 379 times for United in eight-and-a-half seasons at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles, three League Cups and the Champions League.

He also won 81 caps for his country, helping Les Bleus to the final of Euro 2016 where they were beaten 1-0 by Portugal.