PATRICE EVRA has warned his team-mates they cannot afford ‘disaster’ in Newcastle if they hope to win the title.
By NEIL CUSTIS
Manchester United were hammered 3-0 by Alan Pardew’s men last season.
And a similar result this season will mark their third defeat in seven league games and one of their worst ever Premier League starts.
Alex Ferguson’s side have given teams the lead in five of their six league games and did the same in the Champions League against Cluj on Tuesday before recovering to win 2-1.
And defender Evra said: “It is not funny when we go behind.
“Having to keep trying to come from behind is not a worry but it is a bad habit.
“The result against Cluj is a confidence-booster ahead of Newcastle on Sunday because last season up there was a disaster.
“We played very badly and lost 3-0 but this year is going to be very important for us because we have already lost against Tottenham and we have to react. We don’t want another wake-up call at Newcastle.
“We know what happened last year, we know the experience up there and we have to be ready from the first minute.
“It won’t be an easy game, but we have to score first and make sure we control the game.”
Last season’s defeat at Newcastle in January ironically proved to be a turning point as United mounted a title charge which ultimately floundered on the last day.
Demba Ba put Newcastle ahead before half-time and then Yohan Cabaye doubled the Tyneside club’s lead in the 47th minute.
And an awful day for United was rounded off when Phil Jones scored a last-minute own goal.
Evra said: “We had a meeting after the game at Newcastle last season and we talked with each other because it was not the way we respect the shirt of Manchester United.
“After that, I remember we just kept winning games.
“So in a positive way, we can say we have strong character as we always react. But, in football, we have to act not react.”
Evra believes that losing the title last season has heaped extra pressure on United this time round to bounce back.
He said: “We always play with the pressure now of what happened last year and that is why every game we play now we have to win and be professional.
“We don’t want to draw matches and to have to think we have to win the next one. We have to win every game.”
Tuesday’s night’s victory in Romania saw Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie team up for the first time. Their partnership proved an immediate hit as Rooney teed up the Dutch star for both his goals.
It means Van Persie has scored seven in six starts but Evra said it is easy to forget what Rooney can still do for the team.
Evra said: “I think a lot of people are talking about Robin as, when he came, he scored four goals and was unbelievable.
“But you don’t have to forget Wayne and what he’s done for the club.
“He’s a big, massive player and he looked sharp.”
