United’s many honours in the Nineties and Noughties are
spurring on a new generation of players, according to young Reds
defender Jonny Evans.
The 22 year-old and his peers are driven by a need to succeed -
and a determination not to let the conveyor belt of trophies grind
to a halt on their watch. But while the Northern Ireland
international will enjoy being back on top of the league, and
savour Wednesday's chance of reaching another Wembley final, he
knows there’s still hard graft ahead.
“A big thing at this club is the fear of not winning anything
and not finishing at the top,” Evans told us.
“The players want to be winners. We always strive to be top at the
end of the season.”
Which is precisely where United were last May, when Evans
collected his first championship medal after playing 17 games of a
triumphant league campaign. It was effectively a great start to his
life in the top flight but he knows it won’t define his career if -
heaven forbid - it proves to be the only time he’s a
title-winner.
“There is something at the back of your mind that says you don't
want to be part of a side that doesn't win anything (else),” Evans
added.
“I am a young player who has come into the team over the last
couple of seasons. I don't want to be remembered by the fans as
someone who was part of a team that loses. This club is used to
winning. You don't want to be known as a failure.”
Although Evans was on the pitch when United also won the Carling
Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup last season, he says the near
misses – like losing the FA Cup semi-final and the Champions League
final – can be just as motivating, if not moreso.
“All the great players have said it is the defeats that drive
you on rather than the victories. It is the ones that have got
away,” Jonny said.
“The things you win get put to the back of your mind until your
career has finished. For now, you think more about the
opportunities that slipped. You don't want to lose things.”
United's hopes of winning silverware this season have been raised
by the return of Rio Ferdinand, who played alongside Evans on
Saturday for the first time in three months.
"It is a timely boost to have Rio back," agreed Jonny. "He is a
great player, with great stature in the game, and he has
unbelievable experience.
"It is nice to have everyone back from injury; the competition for
places will bring up our standard. That's natural."
Jonny Evans was talking to ManUtd.com, Key 103, PA and BBC
Radio Manchester.