Jonny Evans has claimed that despite United’s stuttering start to the season, the players have never felt the need to hit the panic button, nor have they lost confidence in their abilities, despite a number of set-backs, including last Sunday’s draw against Cardiff.
United got off to their first season under David Moyes in the worst way possible way, with pressure mounting on the new manager to start delivering results, after defeats against Liverpool, Manchester City and West Brom. The Reds, however, have now gone 11 games unbeaten and despite being seven points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, Evans insist they’ll travel to White Hart Lane full of confidence this Sunday.
“With the experience here over the years, there’s been no panic in the dressing-room whatsoever,” the United defender told the Mirror.
“Between the lads, the day after the game on Sunday, when we drew 2-2 at Cardiff, we were back and everyone was laughing and joking.
“We know it’s a long season and there is a long way to go. Everyone is aware of what Manchester United are capable of. We don’t need to make points to anyone really.
“Obviously the manager is very tactically aware. He’s definitely improving the team in that sense, in terms of how he wants to play and the tactics he wants.
“The things he’s teaching us, about how he wants to play, can only benefit us as players.
“It’s maybe taking us a bit more time than we would have liked, but performances like this one [Leverkusen] maybe show things are knitting together a bit more.
“But it’s okay me saying that after one game. We have to put a good run together to prove to people we’re moving in the right direction.”
Wednesday’s 5-0 win away against Leverkusen sealed a place in the round of 16 for United and Evans, who wants his team-mates to build on the performance, is happy for the Reds to fly under radar in the Premier League this season.
“We haven’t always led the league from the front,” said Evans. “We haven’t always led it right the way through. Arsenal are now in a position they haven’t been in for a number of years.
“It’s quite a strange league. Everyone is taking points off each other. Obviously there are a lot of new managers and of the top, top teams, Wenger is the only one who has been there for a long time. Maybe that shows.
“Tottenham will be pretty motivated on Sunday. Leverkusen lost by a big score to us, but they won’t lose their next game by a big score. Sometimes things can go like that in games.
“Watching the Spurs and City game at the weekend, Spurs’ heads went down after a couple of goals. It was similar to our game [against Leverkusen].
“Tottenham will be looking for a fresh start on Sunday, especially at White Hart Lane, which is always a tough place to go.
“We spoke about the fact it was no good beating Arsenal and then slipping up on Sunday away to Cardiff.
“Obviously we did and a last-minute goal cost us. In the Champions League we have to make sure we finish top of our group and put ourselves in a good position for the knockout stage.
“But we’re always confident. This was the first time we controlled a game with our passing, which was nice. We controlled the game along the back.”
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