JONNY’S ON THE SPOT Evans aces it as Bruno volley eases pressure on Erik
VETERAN Jonny Evans was Manchester United’s unlikely hero at Burnley as victory finally eased the heat on Erik ten Hag.
Evans was only brought in as summer stop-gap to boost numbers on United’s summer tour.
But Ten Hag drafted the Irishman into his wobbling defence at Turf Moor – and he delivered a calming display as well as setting up match-winner Bruno Fernandes for the only goal of a nervy game.
Winning ugly isn’t in United’s DNA, but Ten Hag and the travelling fans didn’t care as the Reds heeded the Dutchman’s orders to stick together and show some bottle after three straight defeats in the league and Europe.
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As another COLON: defensive winojurr dy s hi int Ten Hag, thehd eur etc thh ma ann ks turned to 35-year-old Evans to replace World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez.
With his back to the wall, it hardly felt like a front foot step recalling a player United discarded in 2015.
But these are desperate times and there’s no doubting Evans can boast experience if not youth.
The veteran Northern Ireland star can also deliver a decent diagonal pass.
And he claimed a superb 40yard assist for the all important Fernandes goal that gave United a much-needed half-time lead.
But once again it was a painful watch with United still struggling to click in every area of the pitch.
All eyes were on goalkeeper Andre Onana after his costly mistake at Bayern Munich.
But virtually every one of Ten
Hag’s players were under scrutiny after their disastrous start to the campaign.
Onana’s first pass of the night was misplaced – but he settled his nerves with a fine 10thminute save from a Zeki Amdouni header that he diverted for a corner.
More than once Vincent Kompany’s stars easily played their way through United and after 17 minutes should have scored.
United’s defence was all at sea as Aaron Ramsey cleverly played in Amdouni who hit the post with a left-foot effort. It was a major let-off – but Burnley had a slice of luck soon after as Evans had a headed goal from Sergio Reguilon’s corner ruled out.
Referee Tony Harrington was directed to the pitchside monitor by VAR and quickly saw Rasmus Hojlund was offside as the corner came in. It was United’s third goal to be ruled out by VAR in six League games – but there was no disputing the decision. No doubt either about the pure strike from Fernandes that gave Ten Hag some breathing space. Skipper Fernandes, who played in 59 of United’s 62 games last season, watched Evans’ pass all the way and expertly volleyed the ball across James Trafford into the far corner.