Patrice Evra has admitted that he understands the recent criticism aimed at Manchester United (5/1 Premier League Outright) but insists that writing off the club’s title credentials is a huge mistake.
It has been an amazing week at Old Trafford with star striker Wayne Rooney (12/1 to finish as the Premier League’s Top Scorer) firstly insisting that he would not be signing a new contract with the club and wanted out, before performing a dramatic U-turn to put pen to paper on a new five-year deal.
Rooney had originally stated that with the burgeoning debt at Manchester United the club could no longer compete at the top level, and could not match his own personal ambitions.
Evra was obviously worried of the impact of Rooney’s stance at the time and said: “If one player in the team does not trust the others, he should not play in the team.”
Since Rooney’s change of heart, though, Evra is keen to get matters sorted on the pitch and insists the current squad is very capable of challenging for honours this season.
Evra told the Sunday Mirror: “I myself would not play for this club if I knew we were not strong enough to win the league. That is why we all play for Manchester United.
“At this moment, I think everyone just needs to focus on their own job again and we will see at the end of the season. I agree with the criticism that United have not had the winning mentality this season.
“We draw, we win and then we draw again and, of course, people will talk about this not being the same United because we are already behind Chelsea in the league.
“I know this is not normal for us, but after what has happened this week we need to make sure we win against Stoke and then everything will look better.
“I only stay in Manchester to win trophies and my message is that if people think that United are finished they are making a big mistake. I say this because it is the truth and I believe it.”
Manchester United (8/11 in the match betting) take their unbeaten record to Stoke (4/1 to win, 5/2 the draw) on Sunday but they are still looking for their first win away from home this season.
Rooney was stretchered off the training field with United last week with an ankle problem and has been ruled out for three weeks, while Jonny Evans, Michael Owen and Ryan Giggs are also unavailable for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Striker Ricardo Fuller aggravated a shoulder injury at Bolton last week but could still make the bench for Stoke, although midfielder Dean Whitehead will sit out through suspension after picking up his fifth booking of the season.
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