Evra warning for United defence

Simon Stone

November 04, 2009

Patrice Evra (right)

PATRICE Evra has warned his fellow United defenders they need to be on top form to stop Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Evra has no hesitation in plumping for the Stamford Bridge outfit when asked who he regards as the biggest danger to the Reds hopes of landing an unprecedented fourth successive league championship.

"Every year I think Chelsea will be our main rivals," he said.

"I am not scared of them but I respect them and they are the most dangerous rivals. I said it last year and the year before and I think it this season as well."

And, just as Evra is clear in his mind who United's biggest danger will be, he is equally certain about their biggest dangermen. Those two familiar faces the French full-back knows so well.

"Both Drogba and Anelka are good friends of mine. And I know they are both great players," he said.

"All the defenders need to focus because keeping a clean sheet will be the key to winning this game.

"We need to be strong because Drogba and Anelka are two big strikers. They are both so quick and strong, although I do feel we have enough quality to do our jobs."

Having the quality and being able to reproduce it are two different things.

United defence

No-one at Old Trafford last night for the 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow would be expressing much confidence in United's ability to keep Chelsea out, such was the ease with which the Russians scored their goals.

As Sir Alex Ferguson is virtually resigned to being without Rio Ferdinand, who is still struggling with a calf injury, either Jonny Evans or Wes Brown will retain their central defensive berth, with Nemanja Vidic set to recover from a similar injury to the one his usual partner has.

Another change is inevitable too given Gary Neville must serve the second game of a three-match defensive suspension.

The constant switches in personnel are not helping Ferguson's team. But whoever lines up at Stamford Bridge, Evra is adamant there must be an improvement.

"If you concede three goals at home, you can hardly say it has been a good performance from the defenders," he reflected.

"We did well to come back, as we did against Manchester City. But we need to make sure we don't concede three goals on Sunday because then it won't be easy to get back."

United are looking for their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2002 but Evra has never been in a side that has lost there.

"Apart from the Community Shield, I have never lost against them and I aim to make sure that run continues," he said.

"If there is one game I want to win this season, it is the one at Stamford Bridge.

"I didn't know it has been so long since our last victory there. It is the right time to end that run."

Will United's defence be able to stop Drogba and Anelka? Have your say.

| Submit Comments | Comments (37) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

Monkey tennis?, yes please (04/11/2009 at 16:01)

in a word "no", in several words "not if we play like we have been doing".

However, Vidic is happier playing against a Drogba rather than a torres so could be slightly more comfortable, and alongside Evans i think they've done fairly well (although t&c will probably now pounce with some stats to blow it out of the water).

I would be mighty surprised if we kept a clean sheet, so some decent possession with a goal threat is imperative. A draw is likely but a win would be wonderful, maybe in the 96th minute!

Scholesy passed me the ball..., England (04/11/2009 at 16:08)

Dare I say attack is the best form of defence? If we don't go for the throat then Drogba will tear us to shreds. I'd take a draw.

Bendroflumethiazide, manchester (04/11/2009 at 16:16)

The team is now showing the signs of fatigue and injuries due to the pressures of Premiership football. Doubts have to be cast on Ferdinand & Vidic's long term fitness - Rio's out more than he's in these days. We are already missing Ronaldo & Teves (Not to mention their goals). United are beginning to their 'fear factor' too. We need new strikers, midfielders & defenders NOW. Micheal Owen isn't the answer.

tooth&claw, manchester (04/11/2009 at 16:38)

Monkey Tennis, no, no. Vidic and Evans is an OK combination, as long as they actually talk! Big problems with communication whichever combination is out there.

My biggest defensive worry is actual the left where I expect Evra to play with Giggs in front of him. Drogba will try to target that space, I suspect. Unfortunately, Evra has a bit of brainstorm whenever Chelsea are involved and he's already talking as if he wants to win the game singlehanded, so lets hope that Giggs grows a bit and puts on a bit of weight by the weekend!

Depending on the injury situation it might be worth considering playing O'Shea in front of the back four as a bit of extra cover. He could then fill in if the fullbacks go forward and his height would help from set pieces. If Vidic and Evans aren't 100% fit, I'd probably go for that.

Gilly, Belgium (04/11/2009 at 16:51)

We have to go for the jugular and attack and hope the defence holds !

Drago 34 (04/11/2009 at 16:53)

I feel our best back 5 away from home against the bigger teams is...

..........................Van Der Sar

Brown..........Ferdinand..........Vidic..........Evra

But no doubt O'Shea will play RB on Sunday.

Nigel Byrne (04/11/2009 at 16:58)

Er, tevez scored 5 goals last season - I think Lil Mickey Owen is well on his way to surpassing that particular total. The muscular london outfit are certainly a worry and I wouldn't be too upset if Berbatov is not quite ready for combat and we flood midfield with Fletch, Anderson, Valencia, Giggs and Carrick to supplement the one man army that is Rooney. After a late late swashbucklin display last night lets go for them and their greensmen from the off...

United the team despised by the majority of Mancunians. , Tick tock, not long now. (04/11/2009 at 17:00)

I am extremely sorry to say this but personally I don't think you have the slightest chance.
Will 'Fletch' be your 'saviour', I don't think so, do you?

Rick Jenks, Bury (04/11/2009 at 17:32)

Paul Hince thank you and absolutely right.

I hope this decision is overruled by The Glaziers and the person who took the stance not to allow players to wear the shirt with embroidered Poppy is sacked. It is outrageous and an insult to our current and departed Armed Forces.

I would hope all the Media and The pundits of Sky, ESPN and The BBC will highlight this when the match and Highlights are transmitted. It is important that the viewers in all Countries are aware.

Red-Brit-in-It (04/11/2009 at 17:45)

Easy solution. Vidic and Evans in the middle and Wes in his real position at right back.

nyotakubwa (04/11/2009 at 18:04)

Yes, the Chelsea strikers are dangerous but then so are Lampard and Essien. Our mid field will really need to play well in this one. Brown to RB, I'd prefer 4-3-3 Personally. We have the players to excel from that formation.

C.T.I.D., Eastlands (04/11/2009 at 18:16)

I will bet anyone as much money as you like the ref and the 4th official
have a bad game and old man bully will be raging on the touchline when they are beat by a much better side in Chelsea. What do you think THICK TOK, THICK TOK'

bobbydazzler (04/11/2009 at 19:13)

bendofflumizade.

yea you are dead right tevez 4 league goals will be sorely missed.

nb already grumblings about his scoring ability on the boo camp side.

Sam Davis (04/11/2009 at 19:32)

Our problem is we never make the game easy for ourselves. We thrown away so many good chances it is sickening. Our strikers don't put away half chances or miss what should be easy makes for other strikers. Case in point how many miss hits, blazed over or just wide have we seen this year. If we put the ball in the back of the net a little more often we would ease the pressure on our defense. Makes me think we don't practice this kind of struff.

Red Bear, Heaton Park (04/11/2009 at 19:40)

It's a funny game, and the unexpected might just happen at Chelsea, especially seeing the wide range of injustice that's been there in recent games. After that non- penalty in Europe and our outrageous deflection (and Newcastle's at Sheffield, which was far worse), beach balls, and then the dramatic Scouser hari kari at Fulham, Chelsea could and probably will play us off the park and back to the station!- and then we'll pop up with the late winner we all love (scored no doubt by Anderson or Gary Neville!)
Seriously I suggest we all get to church without fail on Sunday morning!

Red Culture (04/11/2009 at 21:42)

Chelsea are going to wipe the floor with us. This team is a disaster waiting to happen. We are due a canning and I think this weekend could be it. I am failing to see where we are strong at the moment......

Redarmy11 (05/11/2009 at 05:02)

T&C- IN response to one of your posts the other day, I think that Macheda looked very good the other night. I have doubts myself about him, but he was unlucky not to score 2 corkers- the shot in the first half and the header against the post in the other. Only time will tell, but I have every confidence that he will make it. With regards to Nani, I think he had a very promising first season, but since CQ left he has gone down hill- I think Fergie should have given him more chances last season as opposed to sticking with that complete dud. Park. I know T&C you disagree with people questioning Mickey Phelan but the facts are that our level of entertaining football have dropped in the past 2 seasons- whether that has anything to do with dour Mickey, I don't know- however, it seems all too coincidental.

I have been impressed with what I have seen from Orbetan so far, albeit a couple of cameo shows- he looks very assured on the ball, has good vision and the skill to beat players. I would bring him on, on sunday- one player I am worried about is Shelley Carrick- I think the Chelsea midfield will have a field day against the big tart

Redarmy11 (05/11/2009 at 05:04)

T&C- Evra is a quality player. I'm more concerned about O'pie- Wes should start at RB

Manmohan Singh (05/11/2009 at 05:42)

united will win by 2-1.period

Roy (05/11/2009 at 08:04)

On another topic, been reading another 'Liverpool hurtling into oblivion' story.

All those Utd fans that are enjoying such pieces and yet, in the same breath, call for SAF's head, should reflect on his amazing contribution to Man United.

Sure we've seen better performances that the current ones and yes, even the great SAF makes mistakes. However it is not just his winning record but the amazing yearly consistency that he has achieved that should be recognised.

Gloat about the 'pool all you want but such headlines could be written about Man United in the not-to-distant future.

Allen & Knott's Lovechild (05/11/2009 at 08:59)

Gilly, Belgium 16.51
I think you will find that Scholes goes for the jugular in most games.

Monkey tennis?, yes please (05/11/2009 at 10:21)

We've played teams off the park before and still only come away with a point, or on occasion nothing at all, anything can happen, and often does when utd are involved. All this 'wiping the floor with us' business is a shade far fetched for my liking.

it's all about on the day, nothing to do with on paper or mark lawrenson's opinions and ill fitting shirts. Of late we've only got going when we've been behind - it'd be nice if we could apply the levels of desire and determination which we show in the last half hour of games for a full 90 minutes, or at least 60 minutes.

I don't think there's another team in the world that has the intensity (nor probably the success rate) that we have when we're piling on the pressure and going like the clappers - and if we can apply some of that on sunday we'll do alright.

Following utd has taught me to be optimistic not pessimistic - leave that for the bitters.

Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (05/11/2009 at 10:51)

A lot of doom and gloom and bitter blue trash on here. Patrice will play brilliantly, Giggsy will have Ballack in his pocket, Drogba will cheat and get a penalty, or even a sending off for one of our guys. Then in the 89th minute we draw level through Rooney, and then MO 7 scores the winner in the 96th minute! Chelsea players will be in uproar, Drogba will get a three match ban for misbehaviour and Ballack will get deported back to Germany. SAF is always best with his back against the wall, BELIEVE!

Grant - Hemel Hempstead (05/11/2009 at 11:09)

I'd settle for a draw to be honest. To have gone away to Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as entertaining Arsenal and City and only be 2 points off the pace wouldn't be to shoddy at all. My general instinct would be to suffocate the game with 5 in Midfield, hopefully breaking forward. If we don't go that route, I wouldn't mind seeing Owen play, as I think he has the movement that would give Terry a hard time. Terry is great when facing up to a CF who has his back to goal, but Owen would be pulling off him, getting in between him and his full backs etc, which he doesn't like. That would mean Owen upfront with Berba, and Rooney on the left, to hopefully make a forward 3 when needed.

david allen (05/11/2009 at 11:33)

Midfield is where we are particulary weak. We don't have a player to protect the back four (and boy, do they need protecting at present!) I'm afraid it's a huge task for Fletcher to fulfil. Surely there must be another Ession or Senna out there, never mind about wingers Fergie. We are also very weak in the goalkeeping stakes, which doesn't help.

()

Report

Manchester United