Evans: Reds Must Push On

Jonny Evans is determined to ensure Tuesday’s victory over Cardiff City is not another false dawn in Manchester United’s Barclays Premier League season.

While the 2-0 win over the Bluebirds was routine rather than spectacular, Juan Mata’s promising debut and the return of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney from injury contributed to an upbeat atmosphere around Old Trafford.

But the Reds have felt that sense of optimism more than once already this term, only to come unstuck in the following games, so Evans wants to back it up with a string of strong displays, starting at Stoke on Saturday.

When asked if the Cardiff win felt like a new start for United, the defender told PA Sport: "We have said this before after we have won games.

"We can't keep saying every time we get a win that it is going to kick-start our season. We will only be able to do that in maybe five games' time.

"We need to make sure, especially at home, that we keep performing like that."

Evans believes the addition of Mata, van Persie and Rooney to David Moyes’ options can only be a positive for the squad as a whole.

"You want to get as many good players on the pitch as you can, and it increases competition for places," the 26-year-old said. "Wayne Rooney coming on also made a massive difference to the crowd.

"There is not much difference in quality between the squad players. In the past, the manager has always been able to rotate the squad and it has always had an impact."