Silvestre 'I Won't Lie Down And Die'

Mikael Silvestre is not going to hide in the corner and let the new boys stamp their authority at Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson has spent £12million on defensive duo Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra during the January transfer window, and obviously some fans think this is the beginning of the end for Silvestre.

Gerard Houllier moved in and offered the 28-year-old a move back to France with Lyon but he rejected the opportunity. Obviously he was cup-tied in European competition, and he says he feared extended spells on the sidelines. But he says his time at Old Trafford is not necessarily drawing to a close.

Silvestre: 'Competition for places pushes you forward.

'If you are prepared to fight, it is the best thing you can have. You cannot hide and you must always be prepared to give 100%. That is all the manager can ask of his players.

'I spent three games on the bench at United and I did not like it. I am a bad substitute anyway because I need to warm up for a long time to get into the game.

'I don't want to be left behind at the training ground during international weeks.

'I want to be part of the World Cup. At United, we are playing for second spot because we do not want to find ourselves in the qualifiers again. But the motivation to get in the French squad is also there.

'There are only 12 games to go, so there is not much time. I have to remain focused on what is happening at United and make sure I am at my best all the time, in training and in games.'

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