Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t blame me for my role in ‘dark day’ derby defeat – instead he gave me advice
Jonny Evans, who played for Manchester United at the time, spoke about the infamous 6-1 loss to Manchester City at Old Trafford. This loss in October 2011 was one of the worst defeats for United in derby history. The game started with Manchester City leading 1-0, thanks to Mario Balotelli’s goal. The match was still in reach for United, but things took a turn when Evans was sent off in the second half. He was shown a straight red card by referee Mark Clattenburg after pulling Balotelli down to stop a clear goal-scoring chance.
Once Evans was off, the game quickly got out of hand. Balotelli scored again, and soon after, Sergio Agüero added to the tally. United managed to get one back through Darren Fletcher, but it was too late to mount any serious comeback. The score quickly ballooned further with Edin Džeko scoring two goals, and David Silva also finding the net. This made it a miserable day for all the United fans.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager at the time, called it the worst defeat in his managerial career. Some people even pointed to this match as the moment when the power dynamic in Manchester started shifting towards City. It marked the beginning of a tough period for United as City began to grow stronger in the years that followed.
Jonny Evans recently reflected on that day in a new interview with MUTV. He admitted that it was a difficult experience for everyone involved with the club. Evans shared that he felt he had been playing well before his red card. He said that after pulling down Balotelli early in the second half, he found himself in the dressing room, watching the goals go in on TV. In that moment, he didn’t know what to think or feel.
But despite the tough loss, Evans also revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson offered him some words of wisdom after the game. Evans mentioned that Ferguson did not blame him for the red card or the loss. Instead, he gave him advice that has stuck with him throughout his career. Ferguson’s advice focused on not letting mistakes define you and to move forward. Evans acknowledged that even though it was one of the darkest moments in his career, the advice he received from Ferguson helped him deal with the situation.
The defeat remains a painful memory for Manchester United fans, but Evans’ reflection on it shows how the team dealt with setbacks in a mature way. Ferguson’s leadership and guidance during tough times, such as this defeat, were key to helping his players overcome adversity and continue fighting for success. Even when facing a crushing loss, Ferguson knew how to keep his players mentally strong and ready for the next challenge.
