Evans wary of Newcastle threat

Jonny Evans remains wary of Newcastle's African jewels despite the Magpies' woeful recent form.

Alan Pardew's men secured only their second win in 12 games with an unconvincing display against QPR on Saturday. But Evans does not feel that is a reason for Manchester United to take it easy at Old Trafford on Boxing Day and he knows Senegal duo Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse can cause problems for any defence.

"Those guys are both very powerful," said Evans. "What Newcastle do very well is work the ball wide and put it in the box. A lot of their goals come that way because Ba and Cisse don't give you a minute. When the ball is floating around in the box, they beat people in the air and their goal record is what got Newcastle to where they were last year."

United have already beaten the Geordies' twice this term, including in the Premier League at St James' Park with what many feel is still their best 90-minute performance of the campaign.

Evans was one of the men on target, and he accepts it was a performance that set a standard which needs to be followed.

"In the last couple of seasons we have gone away to places like Newcastle and either lost or drawn," he said.

"This time it was very important to win. We were well prepared, had the right mindset and defended well.

"With the goals as well it was one of our best performances of the season."