Gary Neville had ‘fear’ for Man Utd player before Burnley win

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Gary Neville has admitted having real fear for Manchester United defender Jonny Evans before Saturday’s game against Burnley.

United headed to take on Burnley at Turf Moor with some real issues at the back.

Raphael Varane is only just back and wasn’t ready to start whilst Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez were ruled out.

Luke Shaw served as a makeshift centre back at times last season but even he is on the treatment table too.

That meant somebody had to step up as the partner for Victor Lindelof – and that job was given to Jonny Evans.

Jonny Evans turns in strong performance for Manchester United

Evans was a surprise signing for United in August as the veteran centre back returned to Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag had brought Evans into the mix during pre-season, offering an experienced head around the squad.

United ended up deciding to sign Evans following his release from Leicester City following their relegation to the Championship.

Evans was given a first United start since 2015 and certainly contributed to the 1-0 win at Burnley.

Evans thought he had scored the opener only to see VAR rule it out, before picking out Bruno Fernandes for the winning goal with a beautiful pass.

Gary Neville shares honest verdict on Jonny Evans

Evans was also solid at the back as he helped United keep a much-needed clean sheet.

Pundit and former United ace Gary Neville has now spoken about Evans on The Gary Neville Podcast.

Neville heaped praise on Evans, calling him a ‘really top’ defender who has contributed so much at the top level.

Neville did though admit his fear for Evans, believing that the game against Burnley could finish his career.

The Sky Sports pundit felt that Burnley’s attacking players could cause major problems for Evans but was delighted with the way he stepped up to secure a United win.

Neville noted that he didn’t really need to share his fear for Evans but that’s how he genuinely felt having been in a similar position himself.

“I’m going to speak openly about this; when I saw Jonny Evans in the team… Jonny Evans has been a fantastic defender for Manchester United and also for Leicester City since then, and Manchester City wanted Jonny Evans three or four years ago and Pep Guardiola doesn’t pick mugs. He’s a really top centre half, Jonny Evans, a good player, good on the ball, and I thought ‘ooh Jonny’ and I was with him, because at the end of my career at Manchester United, I had a couple of games where people went past me and I got isolated, and I thought could be a game that finishes Jonny if those Burnley forwards get at him and he gets exposed.”

“I was absolutely delighted the way in which the game went for him. I thought he’d scored the goal, then he sets up the lovely little diagonal pass to Bruno Fernandes for a brilliant finish. I was happy for Jonny Evans because I had some fear before the game about how it would go, and people wouldn’t have known that and I didn’t need to say that, but that’s just how I felt,” he added.