Both Evra and United feel the suspension imposed by the Football Association is totally unjust, both from the evidence given at a two-day hearing and in view of the France star's fine previous disciplinary record.

However, as the first two games of his suspension are a couple of less taxing Premier League matches, at Stoke on Boxing Day and against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford three days later, and the latter two are against Championship opposition in cup combat - Southampton in the FA Cup third round and Derby in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg - Evra and his club have opted to quietly seethe and accept the punishment.

It sees the full-back free to face Chelsea at Old Trafford on January 11 but leaves a resentment at the way the FA handled the entire disciplinary process.

"The club has reviewed the reasons for the decision and believes them to be flawed in many respects," read a club statement.

"We retain the view that the suspension is extremely harsh but appealing it would only prolong the process as we enter the second half of the season, when the focus of the whole squad needs to be on matches and not bureaucracy.

"Patrice accepts the suspension, but categorically denies hitting anyone.

"Since playing in the Premier League, he has enjoyed a good disciplinary record, having never been dismissed - something which the panel acknowledged.

"It is abundantly clear that no reference was made to previous sentences imposed for Improper Conduct and other charges, which in the club's view is unfair and unduly harsh on the player, the club and its supporters.

"To serve a ban which is longer than one imposed for a career-threatening tackle or throwing an object into the crowd indicates that the disciplinary commission made a very poor decision."

Certainly the after-effects on Evra's clash with Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell cannot be viewed in remotely the same way as that of Barnsley's striker Ian Hume, who was hospitalised with a fractured skull by a Chris Morgan challenge which the FA decided they had no jurisdiction to take additional action beyond a yellow card given out at the time.

Normally a cheery character, Evra feels let down by the whole process, having felt he was the victim of a racist remark, something the investigation dismissed due to lack of evidence.

It should provide Evra with extra focus ahead of tomorrow night's semi-final encounter with home favourites Gamba Osaka in the Club World Cup, the first test of the regime put in place by United's medical staff aimed at overcoming the draining physical effects of a 12-hour flight on Sunday and a nine-hour time difference.

In keeping to a strict schedule that began in England and will begin to switch back towards GMT tomorrow, United hope to be in the best possible shape to face Gamba.

However, as Scotland star Darren Fletcher accepts, the regime can only lessen the effects of jet-lag, not get rid of it completely.

"We are doing the best we can to prepare for it but lack of sleep affects anybody's performance no matter what they do," said Fletcher.

"We will be affected because we only have a couple of days to overcome it. Gamba Osaka have a huge advantage in that respect. But dealing with it is part of the challenge.

"The lads are doing everything we are told to conquer it. On Monday we stayed up until 2am and then got woken up at a specific time on Tuesday.

"From there on, it is a case of mind over matter. We have to put it out of our minds and concentrate on our game.

"The medical staff have done their research and we have to believe they will be right come the match."