Evra concerned by United´s sloppy defending

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra admits he is concerned by his side’s defending in recent weeks.

United needed a stoppage-time own goal from Anton Ferdinand, who accidently turned in Evra’s shot, to rescue a 2-2 draw against Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Alex Ferguson’s side were fortunate not to lose for just the second time this season after goalkeeper Ben Foster gifted a goal to Kenwyne Jones with a badly timed jump, while United’s defence stood off Darren Bent as the Sunderland striker opened the scoring.

After conceding three goals to Manchester City as well recently, France left-back Evra knows United are looking unusually fragile at the back.

“I am worried that we are not keeping clean sheets,” Evra said. “I am not happy about it because if you want to win the league you have to keep clean sheets. Last year we only conceded 21 goals. We can’t concede more than that this season.”

In front of England coach Fabio Capello, Foster once again looked well short of international class as another nervous display underlined his lack of experience.

Foster’s problems were indicative of United’s below-par display and Evra conceded they barely deserved even a draw.

“It was a big disappointment,” he said. “It is very frustrating because it looked like we had no energy or power. I don’t know why. It was just very poor. I don’t know if we even deserved a point.”