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Jonny Evans says Manchester United want to get over the derby blues and believes injuries played a role in Erik ten Hag’s second season woes.
A promising debut campaign under the Dutchman forgotten after a difficult start to his tenure continued with Sunday’s home humiliation at Manchester City.
Erling Haaland’s brace and Phil Foden’s late goal sealed City’s derby victory at Old Trafford, which was more one-sided than even the 3-0 scoreline suggested.
Outplayed, outplayed and outplayed for the most part, it is an embarrassing end to the Red Devils’ unconvincing three-win streak in all competitions.
“It’s never easy, everyone is disappointed,” said experienced defender Evans, frustrated by the decision to award a penalty in the first half for Rasmus Hojlund’s pull on Rodri.
“You wish you could go back, but you know we have to move on now.
“We are manifestly disappointed. We invested a lot in the second half to come back and you know, 2-0, luck with Rashy (Marcus Rashford) to come back somehow.
“But you know it’s disappointing that we didn’t create too much in the second half. “
Sunday’s defeat means United have lost five of their first 10 league games, leaving them with 11 problems. Leaders Tottenham and Evans believe absences are a mitigating factor.
United manager Ten Hag has had to contend with injuries, with Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Amad Diallo out of the derby.
Four of them played key roles in February’s Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle, who came to Old Trafford in the fourth round on Wednesday as the defending champions look to bounce back from City’s humiliation on Sunday.
“At this club that’s what it’s all about, you’ve got to (move on),” defender Evans, who returned to the club in the summer, told MUTV.
“Now we’ll prepare for the next game and make sure everything is ready.
“I think I’ve struggled with a lot of injuries this season in terms of key personnel.
“Most likely, many of our starting players are missing.
“I think the coach had problems painting as a team, tactically and had to replace a lot of the painting staff with only two days between games.
“So it’s been difficult, we can get more players back and have a real chance to create freshness in the playing team. “
City lost to Newcastle in the last round, so Pep Guardiola’s side will have little free time during the week against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
Double our lead with a header from @ErlingHaaland! ? pic. twitter. com/J6XnpMOA7n
– Manchester City (@ManCity) October 29, 2023
Haaland is expected to add to his tally to 13 goals this season when the Cherries come to town, having used Old Trafford taunts to fuel his brace and lend a hand on Sunday.
“The functionality is incredible,” the striker told the club’s website.
“Fantastic from each and every player. Fantastic from each and every Manchester City player. It’s fantastic.
“I think we played the 90 minutes, every single minute.
“We controlled the whole game. Congratulations to all. I’m pleased to play for this team.