Anger and frustration are typical emotions Manchester United are used to experiencing during transfer windows. And there was plenty of this going around on social media when it was announced Jonny Evans was being brought back to the club.
Manchester United, to their credit, phased in Jonny Evans‘ return. Initially he was brought in as cover for the pre-season tour, then the club’s own ‘mission creep’ kicked in, with Evans suddenly phased back into the first team plans with the deal formalised on deadline day.
For supporters, the Jonny Evans’ deal typified everything wrong at the club under the Glazers.
Instead of paying up to sign a top young defender, or a player at his peak, United went for the cheapest option possible, signing Evans, 35, for nothing.
Jonny Evans has been a necessary signing
Setting aside all of that, Jonny Evans has actually proven to be a very necessary signing. A defensive injury crisis has created a real need for his contribution.
Lisandro Martinez has been long-term injured, along with Luke Shaw, while Victor Lindelof‘s form has been patchy. Harry Maguire has stepped up, but is now injured, and Raphael Varane‘s usage has been a little confusing, not selected for a single Premier League start in October or November.
Part of this was down to Jonny Evans’ impressive form. He was preferred to Varane for certain fixtures, and at Anfield, he was chosen to play alongside him. Together the pair were excellent in shutting out Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Without Evans, Manchester United’s injury crisis would have been even more dire. He has provided useful, and more than adequate cover. In fact, it now looks like a very sensible signing rather than a desperate one.
Jonny Evans may be United’s best signing of the summer
Looking at Manchester United’s summer transfer business, Jonny Evans may be providing the biggest impact of all the acquisitions to date.
Andre Onana‘s positives have been undercut by his Champions League nightmares, to the point he can so far be regarded to have provided a neutral impact at best.
Mason Mount has not got started at all, struggling to get kind of consistent run going due to injuries, while Rasmus Hojlund has failed to score a single Premier League goal, despite netting five times in Europe.
Sofyan Amrabat has been more inconsistent, yet to fully win over Manchester United fans.
Evans, on the other hand, has been a steady contributor, without hype, without fuss, and shaking off a tonne of early season skepticism, with fans rocked by the sight of seeing him partner Maguire, giving United the same Leicester City defensive partnership from 2018.
Northern Ireland international Evans has swatted all of that aside, and let his football do the talking. As he showed at Anfield, he has still got it, and has been a shrewed addition.
Taking into account he didn’t cost a penny either, Evans has been a net plus for United this season, defying expectations. He has given all we could have asked for from him.
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