Evra: No Excuses

Patrice Evra admitted the players were all tired after Tuesday’s energy-sapping win over AC Milan, but he says the Reds cannot use that as an excuse for the 3-1 loss to Everton on Saturday.

The defeat to David Moyes’ in-form Toffees was a major blow to United’s title ambitions, but it was the manner of the performance that left Evra feeling frustrated after the final whistle.

“We are all very disappointed and upset,” the Frenchman told MUTV. “I’d like to give the excuse that we are very tired after the amazing night in the San Siro. But I won’t give that excuse. I think that we didn’t believe in the win. We had the opportunity to win.

“We were tired, a lot of players were tired, but I think in our mentality we lost the game. It’s not about not having spirit, it’s that we didn’t believe enough. We did believe. We play every time for the United shirt and we want to win, we believe until the last second. But we didn’t believe enough. I am very frustrated. It was not an easy day and it was a tough place to go. It was a tough time to play Everton as well. But I think it was just about having a bit more belief in getting the victory.”

United had started well, taking the lead through Dimitar Berbatov after 16 minutes. But Everton then began to get a foothold in the game and the Reds couldn’t come up with the right response. “We started well but after they equalised it made it more difficult,” added Evra. “We lost a lot of challenges. We didn’t show the best of United, we can find excuses that we were tired, but I’m just very disappointed. Sometimes that happens.”

United now have three days to shake off the grogginess and prepare for West Ham’s visit to Old Trafford. The Reds need to get back on track in the title race, but Evra insists all is not lost.

“It’s not damaging,” he said of the defeat to Everton. “A lot of teams, big teams, have gone to Goodison Park and lost. The target before the game was that if we won there we could win the title. But we didn’t do that. There’s no damage, it’s just more difficult than we thought it was going to be to win the league. Now we have West Ham and we need to make sure we get three points before we play in the Carling Cup final.

“Are we are pleased [we have a game so soon]? Yes and no. It’s not easy. We only have three days to recover. But this is United. If we win on Tuesday we will all be pleased. But for now we need to recover and get ready for that game.”