Patrice Evra Finding Manchester United's Title Challenge Tough Going

Posted Sunday, February 21, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

Patrice Evra has admitted that Manchester United's push for the Premier League title is proving a little trickier than perhaps he expected.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men were beaten 3-1 at Goodison Park yesterday and the left-back acknowledges that they must make sure their concentration is not allowed to lapse between now and the end of the season.

"The defeat has not damaged our bid for the title because a lot of big teams go to Everton and don't win," said Evra, according to Press Association Sport.

"The feeling was if we could win there, we could win the title. We didn't do it, so it is more difficult than we think to win the league."

The Frenchman even conceded that a lack of self-belief had affected United's performance against a well-motivated Toffees line-up.

"We were not focused on the game," he added.

"Everyone was talking about how tired they were and how their legs were tired. But I don't want to use that as an excuse.

"I am not saying someone did not show their character and we did everything we could. But I don't think we believed enough.

"We just needed a little bit more belief and we could have got a better result."

The Red Devils now welcome West Ham United to Old Trafford on Tuesday, before heading to Wembley for next week's League Cup final against Aston Villa.

"It won't be easy against West Ham because we only have three days to recover," Evra continued.

"But this is Manchester United. That is what we play football for.