Foolish to write off United - Evra

Patrice Evra played his part in Manchester United's victory at Swansea
18 August 2013

Patrice Evra cannot believe how Manchester United have been written off in this season's Barclays Premier League title race.

Despite wrapping up their 20th championship with four games to spare last season and eventually finishing 11 points ahead of their nearest challengers, Manchester City, United were only third favourites in most bookmakers lists.

That situation remains the same, even after their impressive 4-1 win at Swansea on Saturday, with Chelsea and City tipped to scrap it out for the main prize instead.

Given Paul Scholes is the only departure so far and Wilfried Zaha has been added, it is a strange situation, and one the only explanation for is the exit of Sir Alex Ferguson and appointment of David Moyes.

Yet, according to Evra, it is not a new phenomenon.

"It is not just this season," he told MUTV. "It is every year.

"I have been here eight years now and every year people say we are going to finish fourth or fifth in the league. It is unbelievable."

Although there was an element of rustiness about United's play, especially early on, the eventual outcome at the Liberty Stadium was not the performance of a club whose standards have dramatically slipped.

Evra is not bothered about the wider message it has sent out to the league. But he does feel it will have reminded his own dressing room of their status.

"The way we are working we feel good," he said.

"But the result is not a message for our opponents. It is a message to trust what are doing with this new manager, trust the way we want to play and the way he wants to win. That is it.

"The message is for us, for ourselves and the Manchester United fans.

"I always say the biggest opponent for Manchester United is Manchester United. Every year I play for this club I will say the same."

Given United were beaten by Everton on the opening weekend last season, not too much should be read into Saturday's result.

Robin van Persie's brace against Swansea matched his contribution to the Community Shield win over Wigan, whilst Danny Welbeck has already doubled his league tally for the whole of last season.

Moyes was delighted with Welbeck's first, a close range effort the Scot felt showed a striker's instinct.

It was the second which was more eye-catching though, an impudent injury-time chip over Michel Vorm after Welbeck had been released by Wayne Rooney.

"When he came back from the national team I said 'why do you only score for the national team but you don't score for your club'," said Evra.

"Now he has answered back.

"I am glad for Danny. He is a striker and he deserved his goals. The second was a great finish.

"Overall, it was a great start.

"We worked very hard in pre-season and even if we had some bad results, the important game was the Community Shield because it was for a trophy.

"Winning that was good for the spirit of the team.

"We accept some compliments for this result but it is only the first game. Now we have to focus on Chelsea."

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