Jonny Evans starts first Man Utd game in 8 years as Ten Hag admits desperation
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Jonny Evans will make his first Manchester United start in over eight years against Burnley.
The 35-year-old partners Victor Lindelof after Lisandro Martinez was ruled out with an injury. Raphael Varane has returned to the bench but isn't deemed fit enough to start after his lay-off.
It's Evans' first start for United since March 4, 2015 – a 1-0 win away at Newcastle in which Ashley Young scored an 89th-minute winner. His inclusion left fans understandably stunned on social media.
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One questioned: "What year are we in?" Another commented: "Evans starting for United in 2023 is wild." And a third sighed: "We’ve been s*** for a decade but an Evans x Lindelof CB partnership is defo the lowest point."
"Very concerning when Evans, McTominay, and Lindelöf are all starting for us in BIG 2023. But it is what it is though, state of our club now," lamented a fourth.
Is this Man Utd's lowest point under Ten Hag? Let us know in the comments section.
Ten Hag defended the decision, telling TNT Sports: "Martinez is injured, another one. He had an issue in the spring but he’s suffered another one. We have to do it with the player available to us, that’s ultimately it."
Young midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was also named in the starting XI following his goal against Brighton last weekend.
He replaced Facundo Pellistri from the 4-3 midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. Scott McTominay came in too, taking the place of Christian Eriksen in the third and final change to the team.
As well as having Varane back, Ten Hag was given another bench boost by being able to name Sofyan Amrabat in the matchday squad for the first time since his deadline day arrival from Fiorentina.
Evans re-joined United initially on a short-term deal in pre-season after his contract with Leicester expired following their relegation. He then put pen to paper on a contract for the season as United's fifth-choice centre-back, with Harry Maguire also out injured.
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