Evans turns attention to Anfield after United’s European struggles
Jonny Evans was left to reflect on what might have been for Erik ten Hag's stumbling Manchester United at the end of a miserable European campaign, with a "massive day" against rivals Liverpool now looming large.
Boos echoed around Old Trafford for a second straight match as Saturday's 3-0 Premier
League humbling at the hands of Bournemouth was followed by a meek 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
Tuesday's lifeless defeat confirmed United's place at the bottom of a Champions League group many expected them to progress from, meaning they also missed out on a Europa League spot.
"You expect to get out of every group being Man United," deflated defender Evans said. "I think we made it difficult for ourselves and to go into the last game needing to win and a result to go your way in the other side, the probability of that's very small.”
A paltry four points from five Group A games meant United needed to beat Bayern and hope there was a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray to progress in the Champions League.
Asked if it was any consolation that the Danes' 1-0 victory meant United would only have been able to reach the Europa League had they won anyway, Evans said: "I suppose because if the result had gone the other way you can kick yourself.”
On Sunday, United return to Anfield for the first time since March's 7-0 annihilation.
"Massive day for the club, you know, away at Anfield," added Evans. "I'm sure in the next day or two once the feeling of this match sort of passes by, we'll only be excited leading up to that game."
“When he could not make one against one he made extra passes and defensively was aggressive.
“Congratulations to all at the academy for the last years. How many players came up, how many players we sold who are playing already in the Premier League and Championship, and more.”
The penalty Hamilton won late in the game was converted by Kalvin Phillips, who was making a rare start for the treble winners, and made the game safe between Red Star replies from Hwang In-beom and Aleksandar Katai.
England midfielder Phillips has struggled to establish himself since joining the club from Leeds last year.
Guardiola said: “He is an incredibly good taker of penalties. I know Phil (Foden) has ambition to do it but Kalvin is an incredible penalty-taker. The game was not over, and (it was) for his confidence.
“It was a difficult game. They made man to man all over the pitch. They were aggressive, a lot of interruptions, a lot of fouls. It was not easy to play comfortably but in the right moment we found our quality.”