Manchester United defender Patrice Evra feels that he and his teammates have to prove that they are the best team in the country by sealing the Premier League title.

The Red Devils' quest to win the title was halted on Monday night in their 2-1 defeat to rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford, which cut their lead to 12 points at the top of the table.

"I hear a lot of people talking about us, saying we didn't deserve the 15-point lead," Evra told reporters.

"But if we are here it is because we are working hard and we deserve to win this title. We have to make sure we win at Stoke on Sunday and show we are the best team in England.

"The most important thing is to win the title. Nothing is going to be easy until the end of the season. Stoke is always a difficult place to go. We have to be ready for the fight."

United travel to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City on Sunday.