Patrice Evra believes this season's Premier League title run-in has only been a three-horse race because Manchester United are not involved. The 32-year-old also blames on-pitch performances rather than the sacked David Moyes for a "disaster" of a campaign, and says the club maybe did not realise how difficult it would be without Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Big frustration," Evra said after the 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland. "I think that is why the league this year is between many teams because Manchester United are not in the running. It is normally between us and [Manchester] City.

"This year we have been really poor. We deserve all the criticism. We didn't play well enough. We lose some stupid games and that is why we are in this position. I really think it's an accident.

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"You always feel responsible even when David Moyes was in charge. When I spoke with him I put the players before everything because we are on the pitch.

"I never point at anyone else. If I have to say something to David Moyes I will say it to him and not in the paper. I am not that kind of man. I never hide behind something because I have so much respect for the club. This year, everyone failed."

Asked whether Ferguson's retirement had had a bigger impact than anticipated, Evra said "a lot of people know" that.

"He is a legend. You cannot replace him so quickly. We knew it would be difficult but not this difficult. We can do much better than what we have done – maybe not win the league but at least qualify for the Champions League with the players we have got. It's not about the manager... you should be there and it's a disaster this year, a season to forget."

As regards his own uncertain future, Evra insisted that he had not yet made any decision. "My agent will have a meeting with [the club] and we will see. It will be easy for me. That is my point of view. I just want to wait until the end of the season to decide what to do."

On whether he had been offered a new deal yet, Evra simply said: "Ask Manchester United, not me. Everyone knows how much I love this club. It's difficult. The reason is an important reason. And you will see."

Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester United: The latest match pictures Show all 73 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester United: The latest match pictures 1/73 Swansea 2 Manchester United 1 Jonjo Shelvey broke Manchester United hearts with a late winner Getty 2/73 Swansea 2 Manchester United 1 Ki equalised for the Swans just before half time. Getty 3/73 Swansea 2 Manchester United 1 Ander Herrera put the Red Devils ahead against Swansea Getty 4/73 Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo celebrate United's second GETTY IMAGES 5/73 Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Steven Nzonzi fires in the equaliser GETTY IMAGES 6/73 Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Marouane Fellaini scores United's first goal of the game GETTY IMAGES 7/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 A bloodied Nemanja Vidic says thank you to the United fans, he will join Inter Milan this summer GETTY IMAGES 8/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Nemanja Vidic and Adam Lallana commit for the ball GETTY IMAGES 9/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Juan Mata celebrates after putting United level GETTY IMAGES 10/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Juan Mata scores the equaliser from a free-kick GETTY IMAGES 11/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Rickie Lambert wheels away after giving the Saints the lead GETTY IMAGES 12/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 England forward Rickie Lambert scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 13/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Chris Smalling wins a header under pressure from Sam Gallagher GETTY IMAGES 14/73 Manchester United 3 Hull City 1 Player-interim manager Ryan Giggs brings himself off the bench to replace Tom Lawrence Getty Images 15/73 Manchester United 3 Hull City 1 James Wilson celebrates with Nemanja Vidic, who was making his last appearance at Old Trafford for United Getty Images 16/73 Manchester United 3 Hull City 1 Phil Jones goes down clutching his shoulder GETTY IMAGES 17/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Robin van Persie jumps for the ball Vito Mannone GETTY IMAGES 18/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Nani keeps the ball under pressure from Sunderland players GETTY IMAGES 19/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Manchester United players react to going a goal down GETTY IMAGES 20/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Sebastian Larsson is congratulated by John O'Shea after scoring GETTY IMAGES 21/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Connor Wickham celebrates after setting up Sebastian Larsson for the Blackcats' opener GETTY IMAGES 22/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Juan Mata celebrates his second goal to make the score 4-0 Getty Images 23/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Juan Mata came off the bench to score after eight minutes and make it 3-0 Getty Images 24/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Wayne Rooney celebrates after converting from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 25/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Wayne Rooney scores a penalty to put United ahead GETTY IMAGES 26/73 Manchester United 0 Norwich 0 Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville discuss things before Manchester United's match with Norwich GETTY IMAGES 27/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Manchester United manager David Moyes receives a hostile reception on his return to Goodison Park GETTY IMAGES 28/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Everton's Seamus Coleman pursues Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney GETTY IMAGES 29/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Phil Jones handles Romelu Lukaku's shot in the area and Everton are awarded a penalty GETTY IMAGES 30/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Leighton Baines strikes the opening goal from the spot in Everton's win over Manchester United GETTY IMAGES 31/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Everton manager Roberto Martinez and assistant Graeme Jones urge their side on from the touchline GETTY IMAGES 32/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas fires Everton's second goal past the helpless David De Gea GETTY IMAGES 33/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates after scoring for Everton against Manchester United GETTY IMAGES 34/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 James McCarthy brings down Juan Mata with a late challenge GETTY IMAGES 35/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Manchester United manager David Moyes looks on during his side's defeat to Everton GETTY IMAGES 36/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 David Moyes applauds the travelling United support following their elimination from Europe Getty Images 37/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Arjen Robben's shot takes a deflection off Nemanja Vidic's left foot to deceive David De Gea and put the tie beyond United Getty Images 38/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Mario Mandzukic scores with his head within 60 seconds of United's goal Getty Images 39/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Manchester United's celebrations were to be short-lived following Patrice Evra's wonder strike Getty Images 40/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Patrice Evra fires United into the lead with an unstoppable strike Reuters 41/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Adnan Januzaj celebrates his goal and completing United's four goal rout GETTY IMAGES 42/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Shinji Kagawa and Juan Mata congratulate Javier Hernandez after the Mexican scores United's third GETTY IMAGES 43/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Juan Mata scores his second and gives United breathing room GETTY IMAGES 44/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Darren Fletcher wins the ball in a tackle with Dan Gosling GETTY IMAGES 45/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Juan Mata scores his first of the afternoon to put United one up GETTY IMAGES 46/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Patrice Evra and Fabrizio Coloccini battle for the ball GETTY IMAGES 47/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates bringing Bayern level GETTY IMAGES 48/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Nemanja Vidic strains his neck to score a header and put United ahead GETTY IMAGES 49/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Nemanja Vidic heads United in front GETTY IMAGES 50/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Manuel Neuer saves Danny Welbeck's chipped effort GETTY IMAGES 51/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Danny Welbeck is through one-on-one with Manuel Neuer but can't find the net, United's best chance of the first half GETTY IMAGES 52/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Ryan Giggs, the first man to play in the quarter final stage of 12 different Champions League seasons, does battle with Bastian Schweinsteiger GETTY IMAGES 53/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 David Alaba wins a header against Phil Jones GETTY IMAGES 54/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo shows Antonio Valencia a yellow card for his tackle on Phillip Lahm GETTY IMAGES 55/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 David Alaba shakes off the pressure and dribbles past Antonio Valencia GETTY IMAGES 56/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Danny Welbeck finds the net early on for United but the goal is disallowed for a high foot in the build up GETTY IMAGES 57/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Pep Guardiola and David Moyes exchange hand shakes before the Champions League quarter final first leg GETTY IMAGES 58/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Javier Hernandez celebrates his goal with Juan Mata GETTY IMAGES 59/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Javier Hernandez stretchers to score United's fourth GETTY IMAGES 60/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Juan Mata puts United 3-1 up with his first goal for the club GETTY IMAGES 61/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Ashley Young celebrates with Wayne Rooney as Man United go in front GETTY IMAGES 62/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Wayne Rooney scores his second of the game from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 63/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Wayne Rooney heads in from close range to level the game at one all GETTY IMAGES 64/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Ashley Westwood and his teammates celebrate the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 65/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Ashley Westwood curls in a free kick to give Aston Villa the lead GETTY IMAGES 66/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Edin Dzeko celebrates one of his two goals at Old Trafford - both of which came early at the start of each half Getty Images 67/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 David De Gea looks dejected after conceding to Manchester City 68/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Marouane Fellaini is taken off, much to the delight of United fans after another abject performance 69/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 England team-mates Joe Hart and Dnny Welbeck come together 70/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Jesus Navas sees his cross blocked by Patrice Evra AP 71/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure sweeps in his side's third goal late in the match Getty Images 72/73 West Ham 0 Manchester United 2 Wayne Rooney celebrates his second goal against West Ham after a Mark Noble clearance was deflected of him and into the empty net Getty Images 73/73 West Ham 0 Manchester United 2 Manchester United players swamp Wayne Rooney after his wonder-goal at Upton Park Getty Images 1/73 Swansea 2 Manchester United 1 Jonjo Shelvey broke Manchester United hearts with a late winner Getty 2/73 Swansea 2 Manchester United 1 Ki equalised for the Swans just before half time. Getty 3/73 Swansea 2 Manchester United 1 Ander Herrera put the Red Devils ahead against Swansea Getty 4/73 Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo celebrate United's second GETTY IMAGES 5/73 Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Steven Nzonzi fires in the equaliser GETTY IMAGES 6/73 Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Marouane Fellaini scores United's first goal of the game GETTY IMAGES 7/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 A bloodied Nemanja Vidic says thank you to the United fans, he will join Inter Milan this summer GETTY IMAGES 8/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Nemanja Vidic and Adam Lallana commit for the ball GETTY IMAGES 9/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Juan Mata celebrates after putting United level GETTY IMAGES 10/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Juan Mata scores the equaliser from a free-kick GETTY IMAGES 11/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Rickie Lambert wheels away after giving the Saints the lead GETTY IMAGES 12/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 England forward Rickie Lambert scores the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 13/73 Southampton 1 Manchester United 1 Chris Smalling wins a header under pressure from Sam Gallagher GETTY IMAGES 14/73 Manchester United 3 Hull City 1 Player-interim manager Ryan Giggs brings himself off the bench to replace Tom Lawrence Getty Images 15/73 Manchester United 3 Hull City 1 James Wilson celebrates with Nemanja Vidic, who was making his last appearance at Old Trafford for United Getty Images 16/73 Manchester United 3 Hull City 1 Phil Jones goes down clutching his shoulder GETTY IMAGES 17/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Robin van Persie jumps for the ball Vito Mannone GETTY IMAGES 18/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Nani keeps the ball under pressure from Sunderland players GETTY IMAGES 19/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Manchester United players react to going a goal down GETTY IMAGES 20/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Sebastian Larsson is congratulated by John O'Shea after scoring GETTY IMAGES 21/73 Manchester United 0 Sunderland 1 Connor Wickham celebrates after setting up Sebastian Larsson for the Blackcats' opener GETTY IMAGES 22/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Juan Mata celebrates his second goal to make the score 4-0 Getty Images 23/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Juan Mata came off the bench to score after eight minutes and make it 3-0 Getty Images 24/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Wayne Rooney celebrates after converting from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 25/73 Manchester United 4 Norwich 0 Wayne Rooney scores a penalty to put United ahead GETTY IMAGES 26/73 Manchester United 0 Norwich 0 Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville discuss things before Manchester United's match with Norwich GETTY IMAGES 27/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Manchester United manager David Moyes receives a hostile reception on his return to Goodison Park GETTY IMAGES 28/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Everton's Seamus Coleman pursues Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney GETTY IMAGES 29/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Phil Jones handles Romelu Lukaku's shot in the area and Everton are awarded a penalty GETTY IMAGES 30/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Leighton Baines strikes the opening goal from the spot in Everton's win over Manchester United GETTY IMAGES 31/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Everton manager Roberto Martinez and assistant Graeme Jones urge their side on from the touchline GETTY IMAGES 32/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas fires Everton's second goal past the helpless David De Gea GETTY IMAGES 33/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates after scoring for Everton against Manchester United GETTY IMAGES 34/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 James McCarthy brings down Juan Mata with a late challenge GETTY IMAGES 35/73 Everton 2 Manchester United 0 Manchester United manager David Moyes looks on during his side's defeat to Everton GETTY IMAGES 36/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 David Moyes applauds the travelling United support following their elimination from Europe Getty Images 37/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Arjen Robben's shot takes a deflection off Nemanja Vidic's left foot to deceive David De Gea and put the tie beyond United Getty Images 38/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Mario Mandzukic scores with his head within 60 seconds of United's goal Getty Images 39/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Manchester United's celebrations were to be short-lived following Patrice Evra's wonder strike Getty Images 40/73 Bayern Munich 3 Manchester United 1 Patrice Evra fires United into the lead with an unstoppable strike Reuters 41/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Adnan Januzaj celebrates his goal and completing United's four goal rout GETTY IMAGES 42/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Shinji Kagawa and Juan Mata congratulate Javier Hernandez after the Mexican scores United's third GETTY IMAGES 43/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Juan Mata scores his second and gives United breathing room GETTY IMAGES 44/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Darren Fletcher wins the ball in a tackle with Dan Gosling GETTY IMAGES 45/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Juan Mata scores his first of the afternoon to put United one up GETTY IMAGES 46/73 Newcastle 0 Manchester United 4 Patrice Evra and Fabrizio Coloccini battle for the ball GETTY IMAGES 47/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Bastian Schweinsteiger celebrates bringing Bayern level GETTY IMAGES 48/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Nemanja Vidic strains his neck to score a header and put United ahead GETTY IMAGES 49/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Nemanja Vidic heads United in front GETTY IMAGES 50/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Manuel Neuer saves Danny Welbeck's chipped effort GETTY IMAGES 51/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Danny Welbeck is through one-on-one with Manuel Neuer but can't find the net, United's best chance of the first half GETTY IMAGES 52/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Ryan Giggs, the first man to play in the quarter final stage of 12 different Champions League seasons, does battle with Bastian Schweinsteiger GETTY IMAGES 53/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 David Alaba wins a header against Phil Jones GETTY IMAGES 54/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Referee Carlos Velasco Carballo shows Antonio Valencia a yellow card for his tackle on Phillip Lahm GETTY IMAGES 55/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 David Alaba shakes off the pressure and dribbles past Antonio Valencia GETTY IMAGES 56/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Danny Welbeck finds the net early on for United but the goal is disallowed for a high foot in the build up GETTY IMAGES 57/73 Manchester United 1 Bayern Munich 1 Pep Guardiola and David Moyes exchange hand shakes before the Champions League quarter final first leg GETTY IMAGES 58/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Javier Hernandez celebrates his goal with Juan Mata GETTY IMAGES 59/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Javier Hernandez stretchers to score United's fourth GETTY IMAGES 60/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Juan Mata puts United 3-1 up with his first goal for the club GETTY IMAGES 61/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Ashley Young celebrates with Wayne Rooney as Man United go in front GETTY IMAGES 62/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Wayne Rooney scores his second of the game from the penalty spot GETTY IMAGES 63/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Wayne Rooney heads in from close range to level the game at one all GETTY IMAGES 64/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Ashley Westwood and his teammates celebrate the opening goal GETTY IMAGES 65/73 Manchester United 4 Aston Villa 1 Ashley Westwood curls in a free kick to give Aston Villa the lead GETTY IMAGES 66/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Edin Dzeko celebrates one of his two goals at Old Trafford - both of which came early at the start of each half Getty Images 67/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 David De Gea looks dejected after conceding to Manchester City 68/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Marouane Fellaini is taken off, much to the delight of United fans after another abject performance 69/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 England team-mates Joe Hart and Dnny Welbeck come together 70/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Jesus Navas sees his cross blocked by Patrice Evra AP 71/73 Manchester United 0 Manchester City 3 Yaya Toure sweeps in his side's third goal late in the match Getty Images 72/73 West Ham 0 Manchester United 2 Wayne Rooney celebrates his second goal against West Ham after a Mark Noble clearance was deflected of him and into the empty net Getty Images 73/73 West Ham 0 Manchester United 2 Manchester United players swamp Wayne Rooney after his wonder-goal at Upton Park Getty Images

The future of interim manager Ryan Giggs is also far from secure with the anticipated appointment of Louis van Gaal this week, and the 40-year-old hinting he may have to leave Old Trafford for managerial experience.

"It might dawn on me on Monday or Tuesday," Giggs told the BBC. "Then I might have to put myself on the bench. The perfect scenario would be me coming on and scoring but football doesn't work like that."

Giggs said he would not play for another team, but didn't rule out managing another club. "You can never say yes or no. I'm still a young man in relative terms in management."

Gus Poyet meanwhile praised the "cojones" of his Sunderland squad to get out of a "scary" situation, especially since five of his main squad are either out of contract at the end of the season or leaving after loan deals expire. Despite that, and being 20th three weeks ago, Sebastian Larsson's goal at Old Trafford put them on the brink of survival.

"Big cojones, you need it!" Poyet laughed, in reference to Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone's midweek comments.

"Everybody knows after the [League Cup] final we went on a run that was scary. It was not easy. I can tell you that it was not enjoyable at all. You need to believe, you need to make sure everyone believes and keep doing it.

"But the players, they don't want to go down. They don't want to have that on their CV, they want to fight for their lives. I think that part is something we really played on... the commitment of the players together to do something special. It is the key."

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