After the signing of Phil Jones, a lot of people thought that Jonny Evans would automatically be pushed down the centre-back pecking order, and that his time at Old Trafford was nearing its end, I always hoped that this would not be the case.
Evans was written off last season.
He struggled to recapture his form from previous seasons after a bad start, and never really recovered. A lot of ‘experts’ seemed to have forgotten his form from three years ago when Evans fitted in to United’s defence like a glove in the absence of Vidic and then Ferdinand. He was only 20 but relished testing himself against the likes of Drogba and Torres at their peak. He was confident on the ball as well and could cover at left back.
When Sir Alex signed Jones, the thought of selling Jonny Evans couldn’t have been further from his mind. He instead let Wes Brown and John O’Shea go to Sunderland and had Chris Smalling in mind as right-back cover.
It was said that the interest of other teams forced our hand in signing Jones at the beginning of summer but I’m sure the gaffer knew what he was doing. We’ve had a lot of defensive injuries in the past few seasons and low and behold, Rio and Vidic went go off injured in our first game.
As good as Jones has looked over the summer, I think Evans deserves a chance just as much.
After so much was made about the mistakes he was making time out of the spotlight was what he needed to get his head straight and with Smalling shining and the signing of th much heralded Jones it appears he is beginning to get it together.
He started to recapture some form towards the end of last season but the red card against Bolton at Old Trafford halted his progress. He looked good when used in the tour of America and this season he looks focused and has played well in his two substitute appearances, first in the community shield and then against West Brom.
Showing confidence in him now will hopefully help him get back to his best and I think picking Jones ahead of him would damage his confidence further.
Jones will get his chance, we all know that, but right now it’s time for Jonny Evans to prove all the doubters wrong and show he can be a Man United centre back in the long term.
Jones is better than JE, but JE is going to get enough chances to show if he has a long term future at OT.
Evans looks like he has settled down again and found a bit form. No question last season he took his eye of the ball and paid with inconsistent performances and slack defending. The manager has shown by singing Phil Jones that you can’t afford to do that at Man Utd.
He is still a fairly young player and Ferguson clearly see’s his immediate future with Man Utd. Giving him the number 6 shirt was a big factor and would have boosted his confidence and assured him if his role at the club. I think if Vidic is injured for Tottenham then Evans will play, but possibly alongside Jones, with Smalling at right back.
He has to be ready this season because we will need him to play left back and do a job, like Smalling has done at right back. He has more experience than Smalling and Jones and needs to start showing it.
Evans is not a Utd-class player. He is clumsy,terrible on the ball, hugely ponderous in possession and just lacks even a decent pace required of a modern defender. I don’t think Utd is a Casino where “he deserves” another chance. He almost cost a goal against WBA when he was dispossessed summarily ( very fortunately, he managed to recover it with a last-ditch tackle though). Rio looking like well past his prime, hope these 2 boys ( Jones and Smalling ) can stand up. A hugea ask though. SAF should give this a hard look, along with the Sneijder saga. Procrastination will cost Utd very dear.
John Tring in United negativity shocker!
Who do you really support and why do you always come on here?