Evra: Now it's time to deliver

Manchester United have a nine-point Barclays Premier League lead and a mouthwatering Champions League tie with Real Madrid to look forward to, but Patrice Evra says the hard work to reach this position will count for nothing if the Reds fail to make the most of it.

Everton’s visit to Old Trafford this weekend must not get lost in the anticipatory buzz around the forthcoming trip to face on Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu and, speaking exclusively to Inside United, Evra states that United must show no let-up in striving for trophies in this crucial period.

“It’s a really important time for us,” says the Frenchman. “It’s important that we do well in the league in February, but we also have the Champions League game against Real Madrid. This is the time when you have to win your games and show that Manchester United is the number one team. It won’t be easy, but this is the right moment.”

Everton have already beaten United 1-0 at Goodison Park this term, and the 4-4 draw with the Toffees in Manchester last spring harmed the Reds’ title ambitions as a similar league advantage was surrendered. This year, there is added focus.

“I am really happy with what we are doing in the league and the other competitions,” says Patrice. “Nobody forgets the big disappointment of losing the title last season. It’s really important that we just keep going because the league is not finished in February. We have a lead but nothing is done yet.
“We just have to take it game by game and aim to win every match. That’s the right attitude to have. In every game this season we have had the right attitude. That’s why I think the fans and the players are very happy this year because we really want to show we are champions. We have to keep going that way.”