Patrice Evra has been hailed as the saviour of the French national team after a rousing half-time speech inspired his team-mates to overturn a 1-0 deficit and emerge as 4-2 victors away to Belarus on Tuesday evening. 

After a run of five games without victory - in which France had failed to score a single goal - Les Bleus were a goal down and struggling to break down the Belarusians in their Group I World Cup qualifying clash in Minsk.

Inflluence: Man United's French defender Patrice Evra

With manager Didier Deschamps struggling to motivate his troops, it was left to United full-back Evra - a substitute on the night - to deliver a powerful team-talk that witnesses have compared to Sir Alex Ferguson's infamous hairdryer treatment. 

French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena later described how a 'silence' and 'dejection' consumed the dressing room at the interval - which was only broken when the influential Evra reminded his team-mates of their responsibilities. 

Frank Ribery, who scored two goals for the French, said of Evra's intervention: 'It was a man's speech that did everybody the world of good.' 

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud added: 'Certain leaders said some words that drew out a burst of pride from within us. We were all desperate to get back out on to the pitch for the second half.'

Tottenham goalkeeper and France captain Hugo Lloris said: 'At half-time, there were words in the dressing room.

Stirring: France produced a stunning second-half display against Belarus

'Pat is a real leader. Even though he was not with us on the pitch, he was with us during a difficult time.'

Evra's influence on the France national team has not always held such positive consequences. 

In 2010, the then French captain led a player revolt against former manager Raymond Domenech after Nicolas Anelka was sent home from the World Cup in South Africa. 

Evra was one of several players, including Ribery, that refused to train as the French endured a dismal World Cup campaign, failing to progress out of the group stages and mustering just one point from three games. 

Evra was banned for five games by the French Football Federation following a post-tournament enquiry. 

However, it appears that all is now forgiven between the French governing body and the United man, with the FFF President Noel Le Graet praising Evra's contribution in Belarus.

Le Graet said: 'Aside from what took place few years ago, we know Evra loves of the French national team. He is a great man, he has the national team in his blood and he really wants to do well.'