What Gary Neville was worried about before Burnley vs Manchester United but admits he got wrong
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The former Man United right-back says he is pleased his fears were not realised after a brilliant display from Jonny Evans.
Gary Neville feared that Jonny Evans could have experienced a career-ending performance against Burnley on Saturday evening but was pleased to see the Manchester United defender thrive.
The centre-back provided the excellent long-ball assist for Bruno Fernandes’ winner in the 1-0 victory having had a headed goal ruled out by VAR earlier in the first half. It was Evans’ first start in eight years for United having secured a shock return in the summer.
Neville admitted he feared for the 35-year-old when he was named in the line-up at Turf Moor with Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire out injured. However, he was “delighted” to admit his fears were misplaced.
“At the end of my career at Man United I had a couple of games where people got past me and I got isolated,” he told his Sky Sports podcast. “I thought this could be a game tonight that finishes Jonny.
“Those Burnley bright forwards all of a sudden get at him and he gets exposed. So I was absolutely delighted with how the game went for him.
“Thought he’d scored the goal and then obviously he sets up the lovely pass to Bruno Fernandes who [produced] a brilliant finish. Really special moment in the game for United, it was a great goal.
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“I was happy for Jonny Evans because I had some fear before the game about how it would go. People wouldn’t have known that but that’s how I felt.”
Evans was taken on the pre-season tour of the US by Erik ten Hag after the Northern Irishman had returned to Carrington to build up fitness ahead of finding a new club upon his release from Leicester City.
Evans – who received his first appearance back as a substitute against Arsenal – has admitted that a full-time return was something he never truly anticipated but that his first start back was “one of the best nights of my life”.
Neville hailed his former United teammate, saying: “Jonny Evans has been a fantastic defender for Manchester United but also for Leicester since then.
“I think Manchester City wanted Evans three or four years ago, and Pep Guardiola does not pick mugs. He’s a really top centre half, Jonny Evans. A good player, good on the ball.”
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