Evans: United need to forget Barca defeat

Jonny Evans believes Manchester United should not dwell on their shattering Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in May.

Instead, he believes they should concentrate on the positives ahead of their Barclays Premier League title defence.
As Barca are the opponents for the final match of United's five-match US Tour, which opens in Boston on Wednesday evening, memories of that miserable Wembley night will not be far away for the next three weeks.
Evans freely accepts Pep Guardiola's men have set a standard that will be difficult to match.
However, rather than allow themselves to develop an inferiority complex, the Northern Ireland star believes his team-mates only need to look at their domestic record to feel better about themselves.
Over the last five seasons, United have secured four Premier League titles and missed out on the other by a single point.
In addition, they have appeared in three Champions League finals, won the Club World Cup and two Carling Cups.
"It has been a successful era," he said.
"The defeat to Barcelona hurts and probably will do for a while yet.
"But you can't deny the fact we have been very dominant in the domestic game.
"That is a must for us every year. We must win the league and get close in the other trophies."
Yet, as Evans concedes, Barcelona overcame United's threat with a brand of football Sir Alex Ferguson had not encountered before and which many pundits argue is the best the game has ever seen.
"Barcelona have set the standard," said Evans.
"They have gone to another level. That is where we have to get to.
"Maybe 10 years ago, when Manchester United went into Europe, there was a gap to bridge and we managed to do it.
"The challenge is there for us again."
Evans was speaking at a joint charity event organised by the Manchester United Foundation and the Special Olympics, preferred charitable partner of the Red Devils' sponsors Aon.
At each of their tour venues - Boston, Seattle, Chicago, New Jersey and Washington - United will invite a number of Special Olympians, young people who have learning disabilities, to work with their coaches and meet a selection of first-team players.
Thirty one got the opportunity to work out at the world famous Harvard University and clearly the enjoyment they derived lifted the focus from what promises to be a physically demanding tour.
"We have been doing a lot of work with the Foundation over the last couple of years," said Evans. "It is something the manager has insisted on.
"The kids get great pleasure out of us coming down and it is nice for us to have the chance to give something back ourselves."
With Chris Smalling and new boy Phil Jones not due to arrive until United get to Seattle on Thursday, Evans was hoping to play some part against the New England Revolution.
After establishing himself as the regular stand-in for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Evans' form dipped last season.
He was overtaken by Smalling and Jones' arrival presents a fresh challenge to his first-team aspirations.
Not that he is too worried by that.
"I have always thought that being at a club like Manchester United, if you can't accept a challenge of someone wanting your spot, you don't deserve to be here," he said.
"That is what Manchester United is all about. You are constantly being tested.
"Funnily enough, last pre-season was probably the best I had. It is good to have that base behind you to know you are ready for the season to start.
"I learned a lot from last year. Hopefully I can take that experience and have a better start in terms of performance."