Ten Hag thankful to Evans: "How massive important he can be"

Bruno Fernandes' stunning strike eased the Red Devils' early-season crisis as a 1-0 win at Burnley on Saturday snapped a three-game losing streak. Jonny Evans, who has returned to Manchester United after nine seasons, played a key role in Saturday's victory.

United's injury crisis meant that 35-year-old Evans started at centre-back for the first time in his second spell at the club.

The Northern Irishman went on to play a major role at both ends as, on top of teeing up Fernandes' stunning strike, he had a goal ruled out and helped marshall a United defence that had conceded 10 times in their last three games.

"We are very happy to have a player like Jonny Evans in the squad. He comes in and he is calm, composed, he has character and a good skill-set. Even when you have things against you, you can bounce back and then you have the character in the team to do that," Erik ten Hag said in a post-match press conference.

"I already saw in pre-season with the schedule, the problems with the numbers in the squad. We decided to sign him because I think he can really contribute to the squad and today you have seen how massively important he can be."

 

September 24, 2023