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- Evra: “We can’t lose at Spurs”
- No need to panic, says United defender
- 40 not out, Giggsy hungry for more
| Evra: “We can’t lose at Spurs” Posted: 29 Nov 2013 03:00 AM PST
United conceded a late equaliser in the corresponding fixture last season, but arrive in North London on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run in all competition and face a Tottenham side still smarting from the 6-0 shellacking they suffered at the hands of Manchester City last week.
“People always write Manchester United off. Remember last year people were saying the same then, but in the end we won the league,” said Evra. “People think I just say that to look good but it is the truth. Wait until the end of the season. Every game, every year is a challenge playing for Man United. We are strong. We have mentally strong characters. Playing for United is never easy because when you put that shirt on we have the story of the club to consider. We have to show we love this team.” “We are playing well in the Champions League but we have to keep going at Tottenham,” Evra is quoted saying in the Guardian. “We didn’t make the most of the Arsenal win and that was why we were so disappointed about the Cardiff draw. We are in good form but for that silly [late] goal at Cardiff. We have not lost for a long time and we want to keep winning and keep winning. We cannot afford to lose in the league. However, Evra has admitted United must channel their European form into the Premier League, where they currently lie seven points behind in Arsenal on the table. “If we had won at Cardiff it would have been a bit easier going to Tottenham, but now we cannot afford to lose at White Hart Lane,” explained the United defender. “We cannot afford to drop too many points and that is why Tottenham is now a very big game. Every game from now on is a big game because we had a bad start. “If you calculate it – the draw against Southampton and Cardiff plus the defeat at home to West Brom – if we had won those matches we would be top of the league, and that is why we are so frustrated and upset.” |
| No need to panic, says United defender Posted: 29 Nov 2013 02:13 AM PST
United got off to their first season under David Moyes in the worst way possible way, with pressure mounting on the new manager to start delivering results, after defeats against Liverpool, Manchester City and West Brom. The Reds, however, have now gone 11 games unbeaten and despite being seven points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, Evans insist they’ll travel to White Hart Lane full of confidence this Sunday.
"With the experience here over the years, there's been no panic in the dressing-room whatsoever," the United defender told the Mirror. "Between the lads, the day after the game on Sunday, when we drew 2-2 at Cardiff, we were back and everyone was laughing and joking. "We know it's a long season and there is a long way to go. Everyone is aware of what Manchester United are capable of. We don't need to make points to anyone really. "Obviously the manager is very tactically aware. He's definitely improving the team in that sense, in terms of how he wants to play and the tactics he wants. "The things he's teaching us, about how he wants to play, can only benefit us as players. "It's maybe taking us a bit more time than we would have liked, but performances like this one [Leverkusen] maybe show things are knitting together a bit more. "But it's okay me saying that after one game. We have to put a good run together to prove to people we're moving in the right direction." Wednesday’s 5-0 win away against Leverkusen sealed a place in the round of 16 for United and Evans, who wants his team-mates to build on the performance, is happy for the Reds to fly under radar in the Premier League this season. "We haven't always led the league from the front," said Evans. "We haven't always led it right the way through. Arsenal are now in a position they haven't been in for a number of years. "It's quite a strange league. Everyone is taking points off each other. Obviously there are a lot of new managers and of the top, top teams, Wenger is the only one who has been there for a long time. Maybe that shows. "Tottenham will be pretty motivated on Sunday. Leverkusen lost by a big score to us, but they won't lose their next game by a big score. Sometimes things can go like that in games. "Watching the Spurs and City game at the weekend, Spurs' heads went down after a couple of goals. It was similar to our game [against Leverkusen]. "Tottenham will be looking for a fresh start on Sunday, especially at White Hart Lane, which is always a tough place to go. "We spoke about the fact it was no good beating Arsenal and then slipping up on Sunday away to Cardiff. "Obviously we did and a last-minute goal cost us. In the Champions League we have to make sure we finish top of our group and put ourselves in a good position for the knockout stage. "But we're always confident. This was the first time we controlled a game with our passing, which was nice. We controlled the game along the back.” |
| 40 not out, Giggsy hungry for more Posted: 29 Nov 2013 12:04 AM PST
Should he play on Sunday against Spurs, Giggsy would become only the seventh player in history to take part in a Premier League match after turning 40 - Kevin Phillips, Teddy Sheringham, Gordon Strachan, Brad Friedel, Mark Schwarzer and Mike Pollitt did it before him – and after his vintage performance against Bayer Leverkusen, few would bet against him being involved again.
Playing alongside Phil Jones – who, like Adnan Januzaj and Wilfried Zaha, wasn’t even born when Giggsy made his debut for United – Giggs orchestrated United’s midfield in exhilarating fashion as the Reds cruised to a remarkable, if unexpected, 5-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen. Yet, while his appearances might not be as frequent as they were, Giggsy’s quality can still shock team-mates and opponents. "Ryan was fantastic. He's done it for years and I've run out of things to say about him. During the game, actually, their centre-half was asking, 'How is he still playing at that age?' "It's great to see, his composure on the ball is fantastic. I don't know how he's still doing it. I certainly won't be playing at that age, that's for sure!" said the United striker after Wednesday night. "Yeah, I'm enjoying it – it helps having legs to help," Giggs said, speaking about having younger players around him. "You've got Phil Jones in midfield and the front four were brilliant against Leverkusen, a real handful – that helps. "So, yeah, I'm enjoying it, but I tend to enjoy it more in December and January, when all the games come thick and fast and I can get into a rhythm. "I'm enjoying it – that's the main thing. Obviously, you've got to work hard during the week, put in the performances in training and, hopefully, you get picked. "And, when you are picked, it's just like when you're younger, really – you've got to take your chance." Having won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League, four FA Cups, four League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, Intercontinental Cup and UEFA Super Cup, Giggsy’s trophy cabinet is oozing with trophies, but despite that remarkable record the United player-coach insists he wants to win more. When asked whether the current United could go on to lift the European Cup, Giggs, perhaps a tad over-optimistically, said: "If we play like we did against Leverkusen, we can. "If we can put on performances like this, then who knows? We can go a very long way. "It's a great competition – you're playing against the best in Europe. It's a competition in which you've got to perform – otherwise you won't get anywhere in it."
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