Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has described James Milner as the 'most annoying' player he faced during his lengthy career.
The two players first crossed paths in October 2006 when Milner was at Newcastle United and faced off a number of times in the years that followed.
Heated battles were a common occurrence during Milner's five years at Manchester City between 2010 and 2015 as United and the Sky Blues fought for local bragging rights. Their final meeting came during the 2017/18 campaign, with Evra suffering a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool as a West Ham player.
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Now retired from the professional game, Evra has taken the time to reflect on his career and selected the Liverpool vice-captain as his most challenging opponent.
"The toughest one? It’s not the toughest one but the most annoying one was James Milner," he told Manchester United.
"People always expect me to say another one but James Milner the reason was because he was always defending more than myself.
"I’m someone, I’m an attacking defender so he frustrated me so much because he was following me everywhere.
"Even if I was going in the toilet, he was going to follow me. I would say the most annoying is James Milner.”
Since arriving at Liverpool on a free transfer in 2015, Milner has developed a reputation for performing to high standards no matter where he is played.
The 35-year-old spent one season at left-back during the 2016/17 season and has remained a dependable figure for Jurgen Klopp throughout the course of his Anfield stay.
Milner is out of contract at Liverpool in the summer, though little has been said regarding whether or not he is in line to extend his deal at the club past 2022.
