PARIS,France (AP) — Defender Patrice Evra has already captained Manchester United to victory this season and is now ready to lead France at the World Cup if Thierry Henry doesn’t win back his starting place.

Evra wore the France armband for the first time on Wednesday night against Costa Rica, and if Henry again finds himself on the bench for today’s match against Tunisia he will likely do so again.

“It’s hugely satisfying, but not just when I’m wearing the armband, it’s when I am in the changing rooms, to see that the guys are behind me and proud of me,” Evra said. “That’s my (personal) triumph, but the hardest is still to come. I know that a lot of responsibility comes with being captain, but (Henry) is also captain, don’t forget.”

Evra led United to success in England’s League Cup final in February, and coach Raymond Domenech may keep him as captain in South Africa because Henry is short of match fitness and Nicolas Anelka is favourite to play centre-forward.

“You’ll have to ask the coach. I will give everything I have for this team, to make sure they stick together until the end,” Evra said. “That’s my role.”

The 29-year-old Evra was one of the most outspoken players during the World Cup qualifiers, and was not scared to either criticise the fans at Stade de France when they jeered constantly, or accept the flak when the French played badly.

Alex Ferguson saw those natural leadership qualities in Evra, who had already captained Monaco on occasion before joining United four years ago, and Domenech overlooked more experienced players like defender William Gallas and Anelka when giving him the armband against Costa Rica.

“It’s not something I ever asked for or sought to obtain. A man like Alex Ferguson gave me certain responsibilities, and now it’s Raymond Domenech,” Evra said. “What really made me feel proud was that my teammates were happy for me. I’ve been captain a few times for my club, and now with the national team. There’s a lot of responsibility that goes with it.”

Evra has played 28 times for France since making his debut for Domenech’s first game in charge in August, 2004.

His commitment on the field is matched by his involvement behind the scenes.

He has helped unify a France squad that was fraught with generational conflict during the European Championship two years ago, where cliques were formed and the atmosphere was always tense between the older lot and younger players like Samir Nasri and Karim Benzema — neither of whom, tellingly, have been picked by Domenech this time.

During the pre-World Cup training camp in Tignes, the French players gradually got to know each other again, better relations ensued and a more jovial, relaxed atmosphere was clearly evident during team training sessions.

“I saw a squad that was happy to be together, without forcing it. It was more of a natural thing, the order of the day was to go toward others more,” Evra said. “As they say, you can a win a few games with talent, but it’s with a team that you win a tournament. We already knew we had talent — that’s not what’s missing — (so) we had to look elsewhere.”