1
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has once again offered public support for under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.
The 36-year-old returned to United as a free agent last summer and despite much derision at the time, proved to be an astute signing.
Evans made 30 appearances in all competitions and played his part in keeping Manchester City at bay in the second half of the FA Cup final.
Speaking after the cup final, he said: “He’s been incredible for me this season, he’s brought me back, he’s shown a lot of belief in me and played me as much as he has” and also said he hopes he stays at Old Trafford.
At the Football Association of Ireland press conference yesterday, the Belfast Telegraph asked him about Ten Haag’s future and whether he still has the same view that the manager should stay.
“Yes, of course. I think he is a top manager.”
“What keeps me going is learning the game and I learned a lot last season with different styles of playing the game and I learned a lot from the manager of Ten Hag, so it was quite an eye opener for me. I feel like he has great ideas about football.”
The veteran defender then reflected on a fine moment at Wembley when, during the trophy lift, he insisted the manager had been given the chance to hold the famous trophy aloft in front of the maddened fans.
“I handed the trophy to the manager because they were trying to get us out of (the presentation area) to go and celebrate on the pitch.”
“I passed it to the guy next to me and I saw the manager going on and I didn’t want him to miss that moment. I felt like it was a big moment for him. I’m glad he was able to raise it like that.”
Summing up the effect Ten Haag had on him personally, he concluded: “The manager was great for me, he got me back and showed a lot of faith in me, so it was nice, I guess he got to experience that moment.”
The Ulsterman has probably been Ten Hag’s biggest public supporter of the team, but in some ways, as an out-of-contract 36-year-old, he has less to lose if a new manager comes in.
Naturally, he will be eternally grateful that he was allowed to return to the club last season when he was expected to retire or move to a Championship club.
With the clock ticking, INEOS must now stick or twist the manager so the club can properly execute their summer plans.
Want to be the first to hear the latest Man United news? For handpicked, key updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.
