Speaking pitch-side before the start of the second half, Carrick lauded United coach and former Reds defender Evans for his contributions during training. He stated: « Jonny [Evans] had his eye on set plays so it’s great when things come off. Delighted with that. »
Regarding their approach to playing against 10 men, he added: « Mentally we’ve got to treat it the exact same, keep the intensity, keep the quality. I think you’ve just got to manage the game and be sensible in the game. »
Carrick’s praise of Evans comes in the wake of criticism from Roy Keane. The Irishman criticised United’s decision to appoint Evans to the club’s first-team coaching staff.
Despite recognising Evans as a talented player, Keane dismissed the appointment as « jobs for the boys » and indicative of poor decision-making at Old Trafford.
Speaking on Sky Sports in January ahead of the 2-0 victory in the Manchester derby, he remarked: « Jonny Evans rocks up, they’ve signed him twice.
« It’s not an issue with Jonny Evans, it’s an issue with the club and the decision-making, who they’re bringing in. Jonny Evans left Man United four or five weeks ago.
« He left as a summer player and started as a loans manager. He wasn’t there for 10 years doing it. A few months. My issue with Jonny is he’s got no coaching.
« It’s not as if he worked in the academy for a few years. He comes in with Darren Fletcher and he has very little experience but he’s worked at academy level. Jonny gets a phone call saying: ‘Do you want to come back?’.
« And I bet Jonny’s thinking: ‘As a kit manager or working with the under-12s?.’ No, no, you’re working with the first team with Darren. Okay, great opportunity.
« You have two games, doesn’t go too well. That’s probably the end of that. No, no. Another manager comes in, he wants you to stay on as well. »
United narrowed the gap on second-placed Manchester City to just three points after securing victory against Tottenham. City’s fixture against Liverpool isn’t scheduled until Sunday.
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