Evra: seeking Sunday surprise

Patrice Evra is hoping there’s one more surprise left in a season packed with the unexpected – with Manchester United as the final beneficiaries. Sunday’s schedule has United hosting Swansea after Manchester City visit Newcastle, with the Reds' stand-in skipper still believing his team can win the title, despite admitting he’s been “down” since surrendering top spot to City in Monday’s derby defeat. “It hurts me a lot to think we were eight points clear and allowed City to get back in the title race,” Evra told United Review, the official matchday programme. “It's the reality however and we can't hide from that. I still believe we can win this title. There have been so many twists this season - a lot of strange results - so that's why I still hold out hope. But in order to maintain that hope we have to give ourselves the chance to believe. And that means winning two games, starting with Swansea.” Evra helped United keep a clean sheet when the sides met in South Wales back in November – the Reds won 1-0 - and he’s targeting another tight display at Old Trafford. “I think it will be an open game, so we have to be careful we don’t concede. We have to be solid at the back and take every chance we get up front. It won’t be easy. Swansea enjoy a lot of possession so it’s important we press them early on. We have to show from the first minute that we have the right attitude to win this game."