Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Manchester United's Jonny Evans - but concedes he shouldn't be anywhere near Erik ten Hag's team.
Ferdinand played alongside Evans for three season's during the latter's first spell at Old Trafford, which lasted just shy of a decade. Three years at West Brom before five at Leicester followed for Evans, but now the Northern Irishman finds himself back at the heart of United's defence.
It has come as a surprise to many, especially as Evans only linked up with Erik ten Hag's side in the summer to keep up his fitness. He quickly signed a short-team deal so that he could participate in United's pre-season activities, before penning a one-year contract.
Due to the number of injuries at the heart of United's defence this term, 36-year-old Evans had made 17 Premier League appearances so far. A further six across the Champions League and FA Cup have put his entire total to 23 outings.
Ferdinand discussed his old central defensive partner on his FIVE podcast and although he was glowing in his assessment of Evans, he criticised the fact that United are calling on an ageing centre-back so much at this stage of the season.
"I didn’t expect him to come in and play as many games, and I didn’t expect him to do as well as he’s done," Ferdinand claimed. "But he hasn’t put a foot wrong, it’s crazy. He’s good with the ball, he’s probably good with the younger players. He’ll probably go into coaching after.
"He wouldn’t have expected to play as many games but listen, the way he’s going it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a new contract, if not there then definitely somewhere else. But really, as well as he’s done and as much as I admire him as a professional, he really shouldn’t be at Man United.
"It just shows you where they are. He shouldn’t be being asked to come in and play and chase [Erling] Haaland around. That’s not what the top clubs are doing nowadays."
Evans actually had to play Sunday's Manchester derby carrying a knock, which goes some way to explaining why he was brought off at the 69 minute mark.
"We had two players on the pitch which were not 100 per cent [fit]. Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford," Ten Hag told Sky Sports after the 3-1 defeat by Manchester City. "But they gave everything like the whole team and we are disappointed with the score."
For just how long Evans will be out remains unknown, but the fact that United had to deploy an already injured Evans from the start away at the reigning champions just about sums up their season so far.
Podaeilny
2
even if he dint get players he wanted, he should be able to at least show us a clear picture of how he team should play, which we are not seeing..
yutcklpstu
0
lol if ten hag get superman, batman and spider man, we would still be playing like crop!!! because he's not tactical at all, zero/0 in tacticality.... we scored with Bruno up front and casimero on his on in deep mid, but ten hag keep that same formation and didn't switch Bruno with rashford or garnacho to hit city with speed on counter? casimero did need need someone to sit beside him after we scored, so he should have switch to a 4-3-2-1 or 4-5-1. any team sit back against City, asking for trouble.
That same ETH made Ajax play the best football in Europe; the same ETH inherited the worst Utd team in history and played 2 finals winning one, and finishing 3rd in the league ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. A real Utd fan knows that manager is not the real problem at Utd but board and players. LVG and José, 2 winners have failed at Utd and that tells you everything. Sack ETH and keep those average, overrated and overpaid players like AWB, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Tominay, Rashford, Martial,,...and they will get the next coach sacked as well
Rueaclpry
1
ETH wanted Kim Mee Jae but ended up with Evans who only came ti train with the team for fitness. Isn't it unfair blaming ETH for a poor season and leaving Arnold and Murtough alone?
lol if ten hag get superman, batman and spider man, we would still be playing like crop!!! because he's not tactical at all, zero/0 in tacticality.... we scored with Bruno up front and casimero on his on in deep mid, but ten hag keep that same formation and didn't switch Bruno with rashford or garnacho to hit city with speed on counter? casimero did need need someone to sit beside him after we scored, so he should have switch to a 4-3-2-1 or 4-5-1. any team sit back against City, asking for trouble.
bezaeinosy
1
Eric ten out
Plz be the first one to go
yutcklpstu
6
ETH wanted Kim Mee Jae but ended up with Evans who only came ti train with the team for fitness. Isn't it unfair blaming ETH for a poor season and leaving Arnold and Murtough alone?
Sadmnops
4
ETH is certainly a good coach but it seems the epl baffles his understanding of coaching.
Sadmnops
0
honestly, man utd didn't get their acts right by sackings so many coaches within a short period of time. Moyes, van gaal and jose mourhino were all sacked in less than six years. I am of the opinion that David Moyes or Van Gaal would had been given the chance to develop the team for a longer period of time. unfortunately, the club was too obsessed with instant results and the development of the club as a whole suffered irredeemably. I am of Rio's opinion that ETH should not had been in the first place.
Sohbdilsz
5
Rio Ferdinand should go take up the coaching job at Man United! taste the waters and see how sweet it's to be a coach in united and not just talk bullshiit!!!
mrhenphilas
2
while some idiots are blaming the coach without looking at deem of the team
juadlotuz
1
Eric ten out
juadlotuz
2
Man United need to sign good players
juadlotuz
3
Eric ten is not a good coach
juadlotuz
2
Eric ten out
juadlotuz
2
United need a good coach
weuailrst
0
No i expect him to jst shut up
He is a coach and has to represent the team at the conference
ManUtdAmadDialo
1
Do you really expect him as a professional manager to come criticize his players?
No i expect him to jst shut up
Yorokiri
1
I wonder if they will still be blaming the Glazers next season?
cetbeikpst
3
Glazers are gamblers the Don't care about game results!
cetbeikpst
2
United need to buy a whole another Eleven men team.
keudkmosuz
0
I wish Man U won against Man City u won't complain about him
PrincePowell
0
We want you Rio Ferdinand as a new Manchester United manager
funani man will only take man united to relegation
Zesadort
2
let him go please
boebdeilnr
2
We want you Rio Ferdinand as a new Manchester United manager
weuailrst
0
It's a real shame to hear this fckn ten hag saying his players gave everything and that he was disappointed with score-line
Do you really expect him as a professional manager to come criticize his players?
Habcimprt
0
You shouldn't be talking Mr Ferdinand
Sir_Alex2
5
manager only succeed if they don't have names overrated... Ole Gunner Solscer was to be our successor but you axe him for nothing
AlviNashys
1
I’m guessing he’s referring to Marcus and Evans that wasn’t 100 percent fit.
I agree
adedefender
1
Henceforth, if Rashford tells you he's sick, don't believe him. A f**k*** liar
adedefender
1
Well... I don't think Ten Hag has failed because this same guy will go to another club out there and exposed our system really badly. I think the system at Man Utd failed and blackmailed him. The same was said about Rangnick but thank God we can now see the truth
Bendiga
0
It's a real shame to hear this fckn ten hag saying his players gave everything and that he was disappointed with score-line
I’m guessing he’s referring to Marcus and Evans that wasn’t 100 percent fit.
ManUtdAmadDialo
3
It's a real shame to hear this fckn ten hag saying his players gave everything and that he was disappointed with score-line