Evans Happy To Be Back

Jonny Evans said he was delighted to make his first appearance of the season and play his part in helping United reach the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

The defender picked up Sky Sports' Man of the Match award after a towering display in the Reds’ 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Evans says he was pleased to be back in action and even more satisfied with how the team dug in to get the result.

“That was my first start of the season and it was a tough game to come into because if you look at their forward line they’ve got a lot of pace and trickery,” he told MUTV. “You know when you’re playing against Sturridge and Suarez you’re never going to have an easy evening, but as a team we defended every set-piece well and that’s what you need in games like this.

“We dug in well. We didn’t play as well as we might have wanted to, but it can be like that against Liverpool, it’s more blood and thunder. Chicharito scored a brilliant goal – his movement was unbelievable to get away from his marker.

“This is a competition that we take seriously,” he added. “Early in my career here it was the first trophy that I won and it’s one we’d be proud to win again.”

Evans says there was never any doubt the players wouldn't react after Sunday’s disappointing derby defeat.

“We had no complaints really after the game at the weekend – everyone was honest in their assessment that we didn’t apply ourselves the way we should. Obviously it was hurtful for the fans, the manager and the players and you have to move on quickly from it,” insisted the defender.

“The manager made quite a few changes but that’s the beauty of having a big squad. He can rotate like he did tonight and the lads who came in played well.”