|
|
Jonny Evans Hails Manchester United’s Start To The Season Despite Champions League Exit
The Northern Irishman believes his side have improved in the current campaign on last year, insisting the only difference between themselves and City is the 6-1 derby defeat
28-Dec-2011 11:16:00 PM
By Jack Breeze
Getty
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has praised his team-mates for the clubs start to the season, despite their humiliating 6-1 derby defeat and early exit from the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are second in the Premier League, level with Manchester City on points but behind on goal difference, and are closing that gap after an impressive 10 goals in their previous two league games.
The Red Devils could start 2012 ahead of Roberto Mancini’s men if they pick up just a point when they play Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Eve at Old Trafford, with City not in action until 24 hours later when they travel to Sunderland.
Despite their shock European exit following the 2-1 away loss to Basel, and the infamous defeat at the hands of rivals City, Evans insists United have made a better start to the current season than last year.
"Compared to last year, the start we've had has been a lot better," the centre-back told SkySportsNews.
"We've picked up more wins already away from home than we did last year.
"Obviously the difference between us and Manchester City so far comes down to the game we played against them. Other than that, we've done really well.
"The teams we dropped points against last season away from home we've managed to beat this season, picking up points at places where we've previously found it really difficult.
"The Champions League exit added to the criticism.
"We'd have liked to have had that group wrapped up at an early stage and maybe we took it for granted a little."
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are second in the Premier League, level with Manchester City on points but behind on goal difference, and are closing that gap after an impressive 10 goals in their previous two league games.
The Red Devils could start 2012 ahead of Roberto Mancini’s men if they pick up just a point when they play Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Eve at Old Trafford, with City not in action until 24 hours later when they travel to Sunderland.
Despite their shock European exit following the 2-1 away loss to Basel, and the infamous defeat at the hands of rivals City, Evans insists United have made a better start to the current season than last year.
"Compared to last year, the start we've had has been a lot better," the centre-back told SkySportsNews.
"We've picked up more wins already away from home than we did last year.
"Obviously the difference between us and Manchester City so far comes down to the game we played against them. Other than that, we've done really well.
"The teams we dropped points against last season away from home we've managed to beat this season, picking up points at places where we've previously found it really difficult.
"The Champions League exit added to the criticism.
"We'd have liked to have had that group wrapped up at an early stage and maybe we took it for granted a little."
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday