Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has formally asked to leave the club, ahead of his impending transfer to Juventus.

According to reports from The Times, Evra is expected to complete a move to the Italian champions within the next day or two. The 33-year-old has been offered a two-year contract in Turin, while Juventus had lodged a £1.5m bid, but United are holding out for about £2m. 

Evra signed a one year contract extension in May and was thought to be happy to stay at the Old Trafford club, but his wife, Sandra, is eager to leave Manchester, which forces him to end his eight-and-a-half-year tenure in England. 

United have already signed Luke Shaw, the England left back, from Southampton for £28m in the summer and will be forced to delve in the transfer market again to sign another back-up defender. The Red Devils are targeting Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez as a potential back-up option. 

Evra’s departure will serve as a blow to Manchester United. Although Shaw is expected to become the first choice left back under Louis van Gaal, but Evra’s experience and leadership qualities would have been helpful in settling down the England left-back and for that matter all the new comers at Manchester United. 

Evra joined Manchester United in 2006 from Monaco and went on to establish himself as a key player in the squad. He has won five league titles and one Champions League with Manchester United in his illustrious career at Old Trafford.