Here Comes Jonny | How Jonny Evans has Established Himself at Manchester United

A Bright Start

After breaking into the United team during 2010, due to the long term injury of Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans struck up a successful centre back pairing with Nemanja Vidic and was eyeing up the spot permanently. This was following two loan spells with Sunderland in which he had helped the club secure promotion back to the Premier League.

The Northern Ireland international looked set for a bright future at Old Trafford, however as the 2010-2011 season wore on Evans lost his place in the team to summer acquisition Chris Smalling. In a crucial 1 - 0 victory over Bolton Wanderers in March, Evans was heavily criticised for his late challenge on Stuart Holden for which he saw red.

At the start of the 2011-2012 season Evans was back in the team, due to Ferdinand and Vidic both picking up injuries in the opening game of the season, the 2 - 1 victory over West Brom. He struggled to recapture his form from the two years previous and he hit an all time low as he saw red again during the 1-6 humiliation by Manchester City.

After what had been such a promising start to his Manchester United career was he already on his way out at the age of 23?

At the time most of the fans would have said so, as United had just suffered their worst home defeat in decades, meanwhile emerging defensive talents Chris Smalling and summer signing Phil Jones looked to be overtaking Evans in the pecking order. The general consensus was that he simply wasn't good enough to play for United.

A return to form

Evans was under fire from a majority of the United faithful; his rash challenge against Bolton and his defensive naivety against City made fans groan on seeing his name on the team sheet. When Vidic's season was ended in the 2-1 loss to FC Basel, Evans was starting more and more games as the reds were stuck for defensive cover. He helped United achieve clean sheets during a purple patch before Christmas where they beat QPR 2 - 0 and both Fulham and Wigan 5 - 0. However Evans was forced off at half time with a calf injury in the victory over Wigan.

With Evans injured and out of action, United suffered back to back defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United. He returned for the following league fixture against Bolton Wanderers, in which United got back to winning ways and kept a clean sheet in a 3 - 0 home victory. Since then Evans has played in all of United's ten Premier League matches; they have won nine and drawn just one.

During these matches Evans has achieved some phenomenal stats. In the 2 - 0 home win over Stoke City, Evans had 91% pass completion (successful with 96/106 attempted passes) - 3rd only to United's pass masters Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick. Similarly in the 2-1 home victory over Liverpool he registered 89% completion (53/59). His influence on the team was proving to be more than just stopping attackers; he was becoming the link between United's defence and midfield.

Ball playing defenders that breach the gap between defence and midfield, such as Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez and Barcalona's Gerard Pique are being lauded on the continent and widely regarded as two of the brightest young defensive talents around.

In the 5 - 0 away victory over Wolves on March 18th he capped off an impressive run of form with a goal, grabbing his first ever for the club when he volleyed home from close range. The following week in a hard fought victory over Fulham Evans set up Wayne Rooney for the only goal in the game as the reds triumphed 1-0.

This run of fine performances (including his goal and assist) led to Evans winning his first ever United's Player of the Month award for March 2012. His influence on the team only seems to grow as Evans recorded 97% (58/60) pass completion stats in the vital 2-0 away win at Blackburn Rovers, 10% of which coming in the attacking third.

Why Evans goes largely unnoticed outside United is a mystery, perhaps overshadowed by his previous poor performances or the absence of club captain Vidic, Evans looks to be having his finest season for United and his influence on the team has become indispensable.

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Match Report: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 5 Manchester United

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 5 Manchester United

18/03/2012

Premier League

Manchester United put five past 10 man Wolves at Molineux.



After a month lay off with injury, Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia returned to the starting eleven for United as the reds looked to open a four point gap on rivals Manchester City. His return meant Ashley Young dropped to the bench as Danny Welbeck was chosen to start the game on the left, with Wayne Rooney and Chicharito started up front.

United were facing a Wolves side struggling for form, losing their last five home league games. However if anyone was expecting a walk over then opening twenty minutes proved anything otherwise, with Wolves matching United in all areas of the pitch. On seventeen minutes Wolves had a penalty shout when Rafael clashed with Matt Jarvis in the box, however the claims were waved away, in what was a coming together at most.

Just as it seemed Wolves were getting the upper hand Manchester United took the lead through Jonny Evans. After conceding a corner, Michael Carrick evaded his marker and with a smart run to the back post, headed the ball back towards goal for the Northern Ireland international to volley home for his first goal for the club.

United had the lead on the ground they took the lead at last season before falling to a 2-1 defeat, so were well aware of what Wolves were capable of. However the goal frustrated the hosts as Ronald Zubar picked up a booking for a reckless challenge on Wayne Rooney. United continued to probe but Wolves resisted well. This was until the 40th minute, in a moment of stupidity Ronald Zubar again lunged in for a challenge, this time on Danny Welbeck. His effort was no better than his first and he had to go. Wolves were down to 10 men with five minutes still to play before half time.

Wolves struggled after the sending off as United added a second when Wayne Rooney released Antonio Valencia on the right. United's number 25 ran the length of the Wolves half with the ball before smashing home across Wayne Hennessey's goal. Moments later United added a third this time through Welbeck, who fired a low shot past the helpless Henessey to give United a commanding lead going into the break.

Wolves were three nil down with a man sent off and in need of a miracle if they were to salvage anything from the game. The reds were in complete control going into the second period and it took only ten second half minutes to grab their fourth, this time through Chicharito. United's Mexican striker headed home a simple chance, as he went completely unmarked in the box, dinking home Rafael's cross.

It wasn't long before it was five, Chicharito grabbing his second as he hammered in a low Valencia cross. United looked like they were going to run riot, having five goal lead with half an hour still to play. Sir Alex Ferguson saw this an ample opportunity to rest some key players with Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra and goal scorer Jonny Evans making way for Paul Pogba, Fabio and Chris Smalling.

Wolves used the United shake up to rally themselves when second half substitute Michael Kightly forced De Gea into a smart stop. However the pressure was short lived as United almost added a sixth late on through Danny Welbeck.

A comfortable win for the reds in the end as they open up a four point gap at the top of the Premier League. After the disappointment of the trip to Bilbao in midweek, United will be happy to return to winning ways.