Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has admitted that he found it "really difficult" to play against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday.

The French left-back scored the second goal in the Red Devils' 2-0 win in their League Cup quarter-final tie that was played amid strong winds and intermittent hailstorms.

"I've never played in conditions like that," he told MUTV. "It was really difficult and that's why we have to give a lot of credit to everyone because it's not easy when you go to a place like Stoke - it's a big battle. To win 2-0 and keep a clean sheet, we have to be really pleased with that performance.

"[The weather] was punishing. When we came out [after play stopped] we were a bit sloppy. That's why, in the second half, the manager wanted us to start much better.

"When the rain and hail stopped we kept playing our football. That was important, we kept playing the ball on the floor. That made the difference."

United will take on Sunderland in the semi-finals of the competition in January.

Written by
Subhankar Mondal