The Frenchman wants the backline to be as solid as they were before the victory over Chelsea last month and concedes that the team's youthful prospects are threatening his place
Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra insists the club need to regain their focus at the back ahead of the clash with Liverpool after recent shaky performances.
United were arguably lucky not to concede against Norwich City in their last game before the international break and were left concerned after allowing three goals against Swiss side Basel in the Champions League after taking a two-goal lead.
With a visit to Liverpool coming this weekend, Evra is demanding a return to United’s usual high standards at the back.
"I want us to go back to the way we were playing before the Chelsea game," the Frenchman told reporters.
"We have to defend together, be very compact and not give our opponents too many chances.
"I was disappointed after the Chelsea game because they created a lot of chances and if it had finished 4-4 no-one could have said anything."
With Evra being one of the more senior players in what is now a youthful United squad, the left-back admits he is having to fight for his place.
"I'm only 30 but I feel like the oldest player in the team," he said.
"I just have to show the young players that I'm still here and I want to play every game.
"I need to prove I am still fit because they are young. Maybe they have more energy and think they can steal my place.
"Of course, though, you also have to help them and talk to them if anything is wrong. We are here to protect them and to show them that it's easy to reach the top, but to stay there is the most difficult thing.
"But before we can say anything to the young players, we have to show our own example on the pitch because the competition is really fierce.
"The boss is not afraid to put the young lads in and it's working well."
United were arguably lucky not to concede against Norwich City in their last game before the international break and were left concerned after allowing three goals against Swiss side Basel in the Champions League after taking a two-goal lead.
With a visit to Liverpool coming this weekend, Evra is demanding a return to United’s usual high standards at the back.
"I want us to go back to the way we were playing before the Chelsea game," the Frenchman told reporters.
"We have to defend together, be very compact and not give our opponents too many chances.
"I was disappointed after the Chelsea game because they created a lot of chances and if it had finished 4-4 no-one could have said anything."
With Evra being one of the more senior players in what is now a youthful United squad, the left-back admits he is having to fight for his place.
"I'm only 30 but I feel like the oldest player in the team," he said.
"I just have to show the young players that I'm still here and I want to play every game.
"I need to prove I am still fit because they are young. Maybe they have more energy and think they can steal my place.
"Of course, though, you also have to help them and talk to them if anything is wrong. We are here to protect them and to show them that it's easy to reach the top, but to stay there is the most difficult thing.
"But before we can say anything to the young players, we have to show our own example on the pitch because the competition is really fierce.
"The boss is not afraid to put the young lads in and it's working well."
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