text: Manchester United: Now God is on their side | Football | Sport | Express.co.uk
  Manchester United: Now God is on their side
  AS if the considerable talents of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez are not enough, Patrice Evra now claims that Manchester United are being helped by divine intervention.
  Manchester United's Javier Hernandez prayed before the Chelsea game
  Evra was so stunned by Fernando Torres' incredible miss in front of the Stretford End during United's 3-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, that he reckons God must have played a part.
  Diego Maradona infamously claimed his handball goal against England in the 1986 World Cup was "the hand of God".
  Now United captain Evra said – with a smile – "I couldn't believe the goal didn't go in from Torres. Maybe God was with us."
  On a more serious note, Evra was far from satisfied with Manchester United's overall team performance and admitted that they will need to improve if they are to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.
  Patrice Evra claims Manchester United are being helped by divine intervention
  He said United were never in control of Sunday's game, were too careless with their passing and too hasty with some of their decisions.
  "Maybe for the first time this season, we didn't control all the game," he said.
  "Five wins is a good start, but I always want more. I'm happy to win but I hope in the next league game, against Stoke, we create more and do not try to rush things.
  "I think we tried to rush things and gave the ball away too easily. It's why I'm not so happy.
  "I'm happy because there's a lot of positive things and we scored three against Chelsea, but if we want to win the league and win every game, we have to perform better than on Sunday."
  Evra said that it was strange for a United v Chelsea match to be so open and for both sides to miss so many chances.
  He added: "It was a great game to watch for the fans. But it's the first time I've played against Chelsea and seen an open game like that. It was like a boxing fight, I give you one and you give me one back.
  "It was really strange. It was a very funny game but, in the end, we won.
  "We were lucky to be in front 3-0 at half-time so I said to the players, 'forget the first half and try to play like a team in the second half'."
  Despite their fourth successive defeat by United, Evra refused to dismiss Chelsea's title challenge. "I have a lot of respect for Chelsea," he added. "People talk about City and us, but I always say Chelsea are our most difficult opponents.
  "They didn't come to Old Trafford just to defend but they attacked and looked to score goals and create chances."
  French youngster Paul Pogba will be thrown into a daunting
  debut at Elland Road
  tonight, as United meet old foes Leeds in the Carling Cup.
  Pogba's move to Old Trafford from Le Havre two years ago was the subject of a FIFA investigation after the French club accused United of inducing him to break a contract with them.
  United were cleared and Pogba, 18, has since made impressive strides, playing a prominent part in the club's FA Youth Cup success last season.
  Now Ferguson is ready to blood him in the first team, despite the fact he picked up a slight knock in the reserves' 2-1 win against Rochdale last week.
  "He has a slight injury," said Ferguson. "It's not too bad, though. He wasn't available for Sunday but he should be able to play on Tuesday and I intend to play him against Leeds United.
  "It's his chance to establish himself in the first-team squad."
  Ferguson says there is no prospect of Pogba being loaned out this season, despite interest from Burnley.
  "It's more difficult to loan a boy of 18 who has come from France," added Ferguson. "We prefer to keep him with us until we find he's mature enough to possibly go on loan.
  "Maybe next year that could be an option, but we're definitely expecting him this season to stay with Manchester United." Pogba will find himself surrounded by senior figures at the club as United seek revenge for their shock FA Cup third-round defeat by Leeds two seasons ago.
  Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung, Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen and Michael Carrick all need games and are set to play at Elland Road.
  And Anders Lindegaard is likely to get another chance in goal after impressing in last week's Champions League game against Benfica. But Leeds manager Simon Grayson will view the game against United as their God-given chance to breathe life into their season.
  Grayson intends to field his strongest team despite the fact they have a big Championship clash at high-flying Brighton on Friday.
  Grayson said: "Brighton takes priority because it's our bread and butter, but there's no getting away from the fact that Manchester United is a massive game for the club and our supporters.
  "If I want to make changes then I can, but the lads who played in the win against Bristol City will want to be in the team.
  "We want to do ourselves justice, put on a performance and get a result. We want to try to win."
  But Leeds will be without defender Patrick Kisnorbo, who has a one-match ban following his sending off against Bristol City.
  Leeds chairman Ken Bates has threatened to report his former midfielder Neil Kilkenny to the FA.
  Australian Kilkenny left Leeds after failing to agree a new contract in the summer and scored for Bristol City on his return to Elland Road.
  He ran gesturing towards the directors' box and blew kisses at Bates and chief executive Shaun Harvey after he had scored.
  Bates said: "He can't justify or excuse his behaviour. It shows exactly why we weren't sad to see him go. He has big ideas of himself."