Manchester United's Patrice Evra: We have to win the Manchester Derby for the fans!

PATRICE EVRA says Tuesday’s Manchester derby is the match when United fans have to be paid back for their astonishing loyalty.

LET'S DO IT FOR THE FANS: Patrice Evra wants to win the Manchester derby for the loyal Manchester United fans

The France left-back is adamant that United cannot hurt their supporters again like they did last Sunday, when last season’s Premier League champs were humiliated 3-0 at Old Trafford by Liverpool.

City and Liverpool are United’s biggest rivals and Evra knows there cannot be a repeat of what happened a week ago.

The defender, 32, said: “The fans don’t want to be hurt again against our neighbours.

“If you lose 3-0 to Liverpool, you think the fans will boo you.

I think we deserved that – it would have been no surprise.

“But I was in shock because they were still singing until the last second. You have to make sure when people give you something, you have to give back. It’s payback.

“The Liverpool game was not the worst moment of my career because we lost two Champions League finals to Barcelona.

“But, personally, I’m never happy to lose against Liverpool. The way we lost the game hurt me.

“I don’t think we fought enough and that’s why I was really hurt.”

Evra, captain for United’s season-saving second-leg win against Olympiakos in the Champions League last Wednesday, added: “It was really tense in the dressing room before that match.

“I said to all my team-mates, ‘Tonight, we have to play for the people we love – for the United family and not for the people who criticise us’.

“We had to give back after the Liverpool game. Losing 3-0 at home and the fans were still singing.

“When I got home I was really sad but at the same time I was happy because we have the best fans in the world. In my head, I was saying I couldn’t wait for the match against Olympiakos to give them back what they gave to us.

“A lot of people say you need the fans because when we do the job on the pitch, they’ll always be behind us.

“That’s why I want good times for all the Manchester United fans.

“I said before the Champions League game that I want the fans to be proud of us and we ought to say thanks to God to be able to play in the Man United jersey.

“Maybe people will say I’m too old school but when you play with spirit, you can do big things.

“I was so happy for the players, for the fans and for the new staff.

CHEER WE GO! United fans were in fi ne voice against Liverpool and Olympiakos last week

“I think a lot of people saw us going out against Olympiakos but when you play with that spirit, it’s going to be difficult for us NOT to win games.

It will be a similar challenge against City but it is in every game.”

David Moyes has found replacing Sir Alex Ferguson tough at Old Trafford this season, losing nine league games already – the last time United lost more was in the 1990-91 season when they were beaten ten times and finished sixth.

But Evra believes the problems that have haunted United this term are a collective issue and not the fault of a single person.

He said: “The big problem is why don’t we play with the spirit we did against Olympiakos in every game?

“I don’t think you have to find excuses, to blame anybody.

“I think we have to blame ourselves – the experienced players and the younger players. When we win, we win together. When we lose, we lose together.

“We have to make sure we recover now. We just have to be proud to play for the shirt and, after that, anything can happen.

“We are capable of reproducing the Olympiakos performance against any team.

“I don’t think I will give 100 per cent against only Manchester City and not another team.

“When you put on that shirt, you have to give 100 per cent.”

City hammered United 4-1 at The Etihad earlier in the season thanks to a Sergio Aguero double and strikes from Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri.

Evra added: “I’m not God so I don’t know what is going to happen.

“The only thing I can guarantee is we will give it everything.” Evra’s future in Manchester is in doubt as he is out of contract at the end of the season.

He has the option of a 12-month extension but is wanted by PSG, Monaco and Inter Milan.

But what is clear is his love for United – and the club’s fans – is as great as ever.