Former Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra has urged the Manchester United players to follow Erik ten Hag’s plan ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
This is something I think the team failed to do when we lost 6-3 against Man City at the Etihad earlier this season, although the players have made a lot of progress since then and they were very passive in their approach that day.
United go into the game after Tuesday night’s 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Charlton Athletic to book their place in the quarter-finals. They go into the game after already beating Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham at Old Trafford this season. The question is can they add City to that list?
Evra warns that City, despite their recent struggles, can beat any team in the world on their day.
“I feel good, I feel confident, like I did before the previous game, but at half-time in that one we were 4-0 down and we were just watching City play,” Evra told Betfair, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. “What I want in this game is, first of all, to forget that other match because it was horrific, and I also want them to respect the plan. I want them to stick to the plan.
“I don’t expect United to control the game because if they went to play to have possession of the ball against City they are going to lose. I think United can hurt them really badly. Looking at their weakness, City concede goals. You can score against them.
“When I watch City, I feel like any team can score against them, but if it’s their day then they can destroy you. They can make you watch them, like they did against United earlier in the season.
“Of course, I’m confident. We’ve got a good record now and the atmosphere at Old Trafford is electric, everything is perfect. But sometimes in football when everything is perfect you can receive a big slap.
“I want United to play this as a derby, but they have to stick to the plan. Ten Hag will have a plan. If United play like the way they played against Arsenal and Liverpool, they weren’t in control of the game but they were clinical.”
City are not a team to underestimate. They’ve won the previous three derbies and Ten Hag will want his first win over Pep Guardiola.
