What Jonny Evans was informed by Erik ten Hag regarding his position at Manchester United

When his position in Man United’s season was clarified in the summer, the center back agreed to a one-year contract.

Jonny Evans was informed by Erik ten Hag that he would serve as a cover option for Manchester United, a role the defender is more than willing to play.

In the 1-0 victory over Burnley on Saturday, the defender made his first start for the Reds in eight years and gave a magnificent assist for Bruno Fernandes’ game-winning goal. Prior to the journey to Turf Moor, Lisandro Martinez sustained an injury, necessitating his replacement.

With Victor Lindelof partnering Evans in central defense against the Clarets, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire remain out injured. After being released by Leicester in the summer, the 35-year-old came back to United.

When questioned if he was attempting to earn a spot in the starting XI, he answered, “No, not at all, I was told I’d come in as cover for the other guys, which was absolutely great. That’s the attitude.

“There have been a few injuries, including Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez being sidelined with injury, and Rapha Varane returning from a timeout. Thus, all that’s required is to prepare mentally, and I arrived tonight to simply fill in.

Following his release from Leicester, Evans went to Carrington to regain his fitness. Ten Hag then invited Evans to join him on the preseason tour of the US. A one-year contract was agreed with because the United manager wanted to keep him after impressing him over the summer.

Evans, who referred to his performance against Burnley as “one of the best nights of my life,” said it was an outcome he never really anticipated would occur. And he said, “You don’t even… I suppose I occasionally dreamed about it, but I wasn’t really thinking about it all the time.

“But once you reach my age, you undoubtedly start to feel nervous about slowing down a bit, but I have no choice. I must conduct myself as professionally as I can and pray that my body will hold together.

Evans expressed his excitement about starting the game by saying, “I enjoyed every minute of it. Sometimes you get this sensation before the game, and tonight was one of those days. I was just so eager.

I was overjoyed, but you have to wait even longer because it’s a midnight game. But I believe this was my 200th game for Man United, which is a milestone I never ever imagined achieving.