MOTD pundit calls ‘wonderful’ Manchester United player the ‘ideal signing’

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Former Premier League winner Martin Keown is praising Erik ten Hag and Manchester United for the ‘brave’ decision to bring Jonny Evans back to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.

When the Carrington graduate returned for a second spell as a Manchester United player – joining initially on a short-term deal and then earning himself an extension during pre-season – the expectation was that Jonny Evans would maybe make the odd appearance off the bench here and there.

A few cameos, perhaps, in the Carabao Cup.

But, while Ten Hag’s hand was certainly forced by an almost unprecedented series of injuries, the 35-year-old centre-half proved beyond all doubt during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Burnley that he is far more than a dressing room cheerleader.

It was his first start for Manchester United since 2015. One marked with his first assist since 2011.

If Bruno Fernandes’ stunning volley was reminiscent of Robin van Persie’s against Aston Villa, then it was Evans in the Wayne Rooney role, bisecting the Burnley backline with a gorgeous pass on his weaker foot no less.

Jonny Evans shines as Man United beat Burnley

“We have to say, Jonny Evans… A wonderful ball,” Keown, once of Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton, tells BBC’s Match of the Day (23 September, 10.30pm).

“We wondered about his signing. I thought it was a brave signing, Jonny Evans. He’s the ideal player for this type of situation.”

While his assist obviously hogged the headlines – Evans doing his best impression of Frank de Boer in 1998 – the veteran Irishman was rock solid at the other end too. He and Victor Lindelof ensuring that the absences of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were not felt as keenly as expected in Lancashire; Manchester United earning their first clean sheet since the opening day against Wolves.

Evans can be ‘massively important’

“When he was in the summer, he was to train with the Under 23s,” Ten Hag explains to MUTV. “I said; ‘Fletch (Darren Fletcher, United’s technical director), come bring him in with the first-team. Maybe he can help us’.

“I already saw in the pre-season the schedule. The problems with the numbers in the squad. And then, yeah, we decided to sign him because I think he can really contribute in the squad.

“And you have seen how massively important he can be.”