Manchester United hero Patrice Evra has agreed with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes over the “lack of belief” currently plaguing the Red Devils’ squad.
Erik ten Hag ’s men were in fantastic form heading into the latest instalment of the Manchester derby but by half-time found themselves 4-0 down. In the end, they did at least manage to restore some pride as the clash at the Etihad Stadium finished 6-3.
It then threatened to get even more humiliating for United on Thursday night as they slipped 1-0 down to Omonia Nicosia but eventually managed to turn the game around to win 3-2.
Speaking after the loss at City, captain Fernandes insisted it was a lack of belief that cost his side. "The attitude and the belief from the beginning was not the best and I think it was that that caused us many problems," he explained. "We conceded early goals and after that we had to run back the result."
Danish playmaker Eriksen agreed with that sentiment during the post-match inquest. He said: "It's quite simple, it's a lack of belief. When you don't believe on the pitch then you can't win games, that is unacceptable. We get undisciplined at following rules and you get hammered, that's happened today.
"For me, it was a surprise. We were not on the front foot, we were not brave on the ball and there were spaces to play but we were not brave enough. All the credit to City, but it's nothing to do with City, our performance was not good.
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"It had to do with the belief as individuals and as a team. From the first minute I felt it and at half-time, we changed things and we changed attitude. We saw a different Manchester United after half-time and we scored goals, we created some more.”
Now, ex-defender Evra has revealed that he holds the same opinion as the two current United midfielders having seen his former side slump to a humbling defeat.
As quoted by Betfair, the Frenchman said: "It was a massive lack of belief, it was as if they said to City you are better than us.
"They didn't follow the plan, I'm sure Ten Hag had a plan like he had against Arsenal and Liverpool and I think they forgot everything because they were scared. It was like the plan went out of the window because they saw City and said, 'those guys are monsters, they are not human beings'.
"There's nothing positive about that match, the only thing, at least Anthony Martial came in and scored two goals, he's back from injury, so that's the only thing."
After getting back to winning ways against Omonia on Thursday evening, the Red Devils will be aiming to do the same in the Premier League this weekend. They take on Frank Lampard’s Everton in a late Sunday evening clash.
