Ever since November, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believed that his side would be playing catch-up for the following three to four months due to the build up in fixtures together with the Japanese sojourn contesting the FIFA Club World Cup.The reigning league champions have overtaken Liverpool ahead of schedule, but their north west rivals can re-claim the number one spot should they defeat neighbours Everton in the Merseyside derby this evening.
Promising young Northern Irish international Jonny Evans, who has added to his growing reputation with a series of formidable performances, believes that the pressure is now on Liverpool after Dimitar Berbatov's last minute winner over Bolton ensured United the loftiest of league positions.
"The main thing was to go top, keep winning and put the pressure on everyone else," Evans, 21, explained to the club's official website.
"We're top now, which is good for us and puts a bit of pressure on Liverpool. Now they have to go and beat Everton on Monday."
Record Breakers
On the prospect of embarking on a record run of ten consecutive clean sheets, a feat that Evans has been at the core of, the defender said:
"I don’t think anyone realised [we were setting records] until the press started making a deal of it, but it’s nice and there are some good players here. Edwin van der Sar has been fantastic behind the back four: he provides great organisation."
On the eventual breakdown of Bolton, he said: "It was tough. They had a new signing playing up front [Azira Makukula] and he was trying to impress the fans on his debut. He was a big guy."
The next game is a Carling Cup second leg clash against Derby County, where United a chasing a one-nil deficit.
"The manager’s given a few players some time off, but not me. It’s nice to be in the team and I’m looking forward to the Derby game.
"I want to get into my first major final," he concluded.
Manchester United host Derby on Tuesday, in a contest that kicks off at 2000 GMT.
Resource: Goal.com
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