Evans Backs Reds To Recover

Jonny Evans is confident the Reds will bounce back after Saturday's disappointing FA Cup exit at Anfield.

After all, he says, that's the Manchester United way.

“We've responded really well after disappointing moments this season, like the 6-1 defeat against City and then the Blackburn and Newcastle defeats at the turn of the year,” he told ManUtd.com.

“We went on a great run after the City game and then after the New Year games we beat both City and Arsenal away. That's what this team does.”

There were no crisis meetings or rousing speeches in the dressing room, according to Evans. There was no need for that.

“Every player at this club knows what's expected. When you're at Manchester United you know defeats like that aren't acceptable. We don't need anybody else to tell us that. We know it deep down.”

Saturday's loss at Anfield, with the killer goal conceded just two minutes before the full-time whistle, will undoubtedly have hurt. But Evans says the Reds have plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of Stoke City's visit to Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

“We've played really well against Stoke in the last few games, both at home and away,” he said. “I think we've dealt particularly well with their long throw-ins. There isn't much of a run-up at Old Trafford on the side of the pitch, which will probably help us.

“We've beaten them comfortably over the last few seasons but they're improving all the time and nobody ever looks forward to playing against Stoke. They have a different approach to the way most teams play.”

Stoke, the tallest side in the Barclays Premier League, certainly have their fair share of detractors, people who decry their direct approach. It's not always pretty, that's for sure. But Evans insists the Potters aren't doing anything wrong.

“People have this preconception of them and think that because they're a big side they're a dirty side. But that's not the case at all. I think they're hard but fair and Tony Pulis goes out of his way to make sure they don't cross that line.”