Evra: Tactics Were Spot On

Patrice Evra saluted United’s tactical triumph over Arsenal after executing another counter-attacking victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Goals from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck gave the Reds three vital points, with both goals owing much to impressive wingplay as Arsenal’s makeshift full-backs struggled to cope with being targeted.

“I think (our gameplan) was to go straight forward, it makes a lot of pressure on the left-back and the right-back and that’s what we did,” Evra told Sky Sports. “We made a plan to have a good shape and go forward on the counter-attack. We have done this many times when we play against Arsenal and that was the plan.

“We had a good shape in the first half and I think we played very well. But the second half was not the best [we've seen] of United.

"It was a good performance from the team, it’s just that we want everything perfect. I think in the second half there were 15 minutes where Arsenal played very well, but we kept strong and had good shape, and after we scored a nice goal.”

United’s Emirates victory followed an even more dramatic triumph for title rivals Manchester City, who overcame Tottenham in injury-time to remain three points clear at the head of the Barclays Premier League table. Nevertheless, Evra insists that the Reds are keeping calm ahead of what looks increasingly likely to be a thrilling title race led by Manchester’s main factions.

“The most important thing for us was to win,” he said. “Three points were really important if we want to win the title. I always say the league is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

“We are still behind City but we have to keep going, keep winning games and I’m really confident in the team because everyone is working really hard and when we play with the United spirit it is difficult to beat us.”