[Roopea]

He wasn't dire today considering it was his first apperance in months, but I just can't see him moving up a level at his age and the fact he seems to get injured so frequently.

I never was a fan of him when he broke through the first team, and nothing has changed my mind since. He has put in good performances here and there around 2012 but he is not close to what you would call a top top defender, which is what we should be looking for.

He also just tends to have a lot more brain farts than other CB's around him and I never feel comfortable for our defence when he is on the pitch.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

I honestly think I have a blind spot with Evans because I didn't think he was bad last night. Can someone point out some ocassions of this terrible defending from last night? He defended well in the 2nd half and the only time I found myself shouting at him was when he was giving the ball away. But quite frankly, Evans' ability on the ball is the last thing that worries me, he is our best ball playing CB by a distance.

 

[Ole90+3]

I would keep him at the club purely to keep seeing Helen on MUTV

 

[Dumbat12]

I’m defending him because he doesn’t deserve all the abuse he gets on here, it’s pathetic. Even when he has a good game or makes a fantastic tackle or clearance he still gets criticised or his efforts are ignored as it doesn’t fit in with some posters agenda.

Everyone performs better with a leader beside them, Rio, wasn’t a leader but played so much better beside Vidic, Keane was a leader and all players played better when he was in the team, same for Robson, Cantona, Schmeichel, Stam in fact the one thing our present team is missing is a leader, should we sell everyone?

You have no foundation for your criticism of Evans, your last paragraph illustrates that clearly.

What agenda? I don't have any, I just see it as it is and the fact of the matter is that Jonny Evans is simply not good enough for this team. At least, if he managed to stay fit regularly, then maybe he could have become a decent bench player, but now? Just sell him and be done with it. He can't keep fit and his performances this year have been absolutely terrible and last year they were below average. Now you tell me what exactly does he do for us that we should keep him? Buy Godin and hope Jonny Evans suddenly becomes a good defender? Hope that he will play consistently? I don't know about you, but I don't see any of that happening.

Season as a whole? fecking hell thats hilarious. He played what 3-4 games at the start of the season in August-September. Last night was his first game back in nearly 3 months FFS.

Looks like Evans has became the Caf's new scapegoat now that Cleverley has left. Considering he was out for 3 months and had to come on earlier than planned and play in a back 3 which so far none of our defenders have looked comfortable playing in i thought he did alright.

Baffling OTT reactions to a half decent performance. Some seem to have developed an irrational hatred towards Evans for reasons unknown.

And what exactly did he do in those games? Absolutely nothing. Not to mention his mistakes cost us number of times. He is not a scapegoat, he is just being judged as any other player who has not played well. Has Tom Cleverley ever played well? No, which is exactly why he was criticized constantly and it was fair, whether he likes it or not. No player should be immune to criticism.

And I repeat, I do not hate Evans, I just don't think he is good enough for a club of our stature and he is a crock.

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

As soon as we bring in any quality defender the bloke will be shipped out to Hull or somewhere.

 

[Getsme]

What agenda? I don't have any, I just see it as it is and the fact of the matter is that Jonny Evans is simply not good enough for this team. At least, if he managed to stay fit regularly, then maybe he could have become a decent bench player, but now? Just sell him and be done with it. He can't keep fit and his performances this year have been absolutely terrible and last year they were below average. Now you tell me what exactly does he do for us that we should keep him? Buy Godin and hope Jonny Evans suddenly becomes a good defender? Hope that he will play consistently? I don't know about you, but I don't see any of that happening.


And what exactly did he do in those games? Absolutely nothing. Not to mention his mistakes cost us number of times. He is not a scapegoat, he is just being judged as any other player who has not played well. Has Tom Cleverley ever played well? No, which is exactly why he was criticized constantly and it was fair, whether he likes it or not. No player should be immune to criticism.

And I repeat, I do not hate Evans, I just don't think he is good enough for a club of our stature and he is a crock.

He’s been in this team for several seasons now, you seem to be criticising him without any evidence to back it up, saying he’s shit 1000 times doesn’t make it true. His past mistakes are referenced as if they happened yesterday, if he makes a mistake in the game it’s the worst thing to ever happen to the Club, he is even blamed for mistakes that weren’t his fault, it’s a joke. The best I’ve heard this season is Evans was at fault for Leicester’s first goal. Despite the fact our defence has looked better with Evans in it some still refuse to give him any credit whatsoever.

Believe it or not he has performed to a high level consistently for the Club which I have proven many times in this thread. For example he was in the team of the knock out stages in last year’s Champions league, he was a front runner to be named Captain this season and LVG has praised his ability at bringing the ball out from the back. Then I could go on about his clean sheet record when him, VDS, and Vidic were the only three who played in all games, or the fact that he Ferdinand formed a partnership that helped United's title bid during Fergies last year.

During the 2012/13 season with Rio and Evans in central defence we won 13 of 17 games, only losing two, in which Fergie Said “he (Evans) is arguably the best defender in the country"


Simply put he’s not a shit player, are there better players out there? Of course but there are better players out there for all our positions.

 

[Sarni]

He'll be 27 in a month and it doesn't look like he has matured into a defender we thought he could be. He's not some sort of a youngster who still has time on his hands, van Gaal will be ruthless at the end of season and if Evans cannot deliver (and so far he's been poor when he played) he is more likely to be shipped than McNair and Blackett who are considerably younger and still have time to develop, or Smalling who has been much better than him. I keep forgetting Jones exists.

 

[evra]

As soon as we bring in any quality defender the bloke will be shipped out to Hull or somewhere.

I think you would be surprised at the calibre of clubs that would be interested in him if we ever decided to sell.

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

I think you would be surprised at the calibre of clubs that would be interested in him if we ever decided to sell.

Would he get in any top four side? I doubt it. Maybe Everton but no higher.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He'll be 27 in a month and it doesn't look like he has matured into a defender we thought he could be. He's not some sort of a youngster who still has time on his hands, van Gaal will be ruthless at the end of season and if Evans cannot deliver (and so far he's been poor when he played) he is more likely to be shipped than McNair and Blackett who are considerably younger and still have time to develop, or Smalling who has been much better than him. I keep forgetting Jones exists.

26/27 is still young for a CB. Cahill was still at Bolton when he was this age. Look how much he's improved since then.

 

[stevoc]

And what exactly did he do in those games? Absolutely nothing.

You said he has been terrible this season as a whole, 3-5 games hardly constitute a season do they? He did nothing did he, fair enough he wasn't great but i don't know if you noticed but all but one of his games this season he has played in a back 3. How many of our other defenders have excelled when asked to play in this formation? Answer none.

Not to mention his mistakes cost us number of times. He is not a scapegoat, he is just being judged as any other player who has not played well.

Makes mistakes how dare he, only perfect defenders are good enough for United then? Yeah the perfect defender doesn't exist. Lets face facts even Vidic, Ferdinand, Stam etc. in their pomp made mistakes every defender does. Evans makes more than those 3 its true but then hes not as good as them and never will be which is no shame given how good the others were. Evans biggest crime in some peoples eyes as far as i can tell is thats hes not Rio Ferdinand in his prime. He seems to come in for way more criticism than either Jones or Smalling despite those two having injury records as bad. And neither being brilliant either Jones especially who has been very poor in his time at United.

People need to accept Evans for what he is a good defender nothing more. When fit and given a run to get his sharpness back hes a very good defender. People keep banging on about this mythical world class CB we need, but how many are around? Even if we get one are we going to play him on his own? Because as hard as it will be to find one i doubt we can find 3-4 which is how many Defenders we need for an average season. Evans is an Academy produced player capable of a fairly high level of play who will be happy not being a first team player. He will be great back up if we eventually sign a world class CB, he can be a solid squad member just like O'Shea, Neville, Butt and Fletcher have been in the past.

To listen to some of the hysterical ranting in this thread after last nights game you would think we were talking about a William Prunier horror show performance. He wasn't even that bad FFS.

 

[Freak]

He annoys me. A lot. The amount of time he takes to release the ball drives me mad.

 

[evra]

Would he get in any top four side? I doubt it. Maybe Everton but no higher.

He is just coming into a defender's prime age, he was a fantastic understudy to Rio and Vidic during our most recent glory years, deputising in important European matches and performing at the highest level. I wonder if some of you have forgotten that. If we can get him match-fit I think he can be a big part of LVG's tenure at Utd.

 

[MoneyMay]

It's because he's only ever played in the 352. Where all our players blatantly have no idea where their team-mates will be at any given moment. Considering Van Gaal's reputation as a coach, we look worryingly unprepared for that formation. Each game we play 352 it looks as though everyone is making it up as they go along.

Pretty much, though he did play a couple of poor passes when we played 442 diamond earlier this season. I don't think he's as bad as some have made him out to be this season. His defending has generally been solid, though he hasn't been tested much. But it's awful passes like the Burnley and QPR ones - and his awful display against MK Dons - which have had too much of an impact on peoples' opinions.

Ultimately that doesn't account for much because he's not been fit for most of this season, but I do think he can perform at a good level for us. And the hysteria in this thread has become tedious and predictable.

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

He is just coming into a defender's prime age, he was a fantastic understudy to Rio and Vidic during our most recent glory years, deputising in important European matches and performing at the highest level. I wonder if some of you have forgotten that. If we can get him match-fit I think he can be a big part of LVG's tenure at Utd.

See I disagree completely, for me he looked the part because he was paired with them. Some on here portray him as a ball playing defender yet in recent years he's distributing has been terrible and often plays hospital balls to teammates. For me if we want to truly get to the level we want we have to replace the likes of Jonny for better quality.

 

[Decotron]

See I disagree completely, for me he looked the part because he was paired with them. Some on here portray him as a ball playing defender yet in recent years he's distributing has been terrible and often plays hospital balls to teammates. For me if we want to truly get to the level we want we have to replace the likes of Jonny for better quality.

Absolute reactionary bollox.

He's 100% is a ball playing centre half and his distribution has been nowhere near terrible. The stats back this up.

Has there been problems with other aspects of his game? Of course there has, but his ability to pass a football certainly wasn't/ isn't one of them.

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

Absolute reactionary bollox.

He's 100% is a ball playing centre half and his distribution has been nowhere near terrible. The stats back this up.

Has there been problems with other aspects of his game? Of course there has, but his ability to pass a football certainly wasn't/ isn't one of them.

Difference of opinions, I believe we have to upgrade on this, other's don't.

 

[Decotron]

Difference of opinions, I believe we have to upgrade on this, other's don't.

Its more than that though. Sums up a lot of the nonsense in this thread of late.

You said his distribution has been terrible in recent years. Its hardly a difference of opinion when the stats prove this simply isn't true.

I get people don't like him but making stuff up doesn't aid sensible debate

http://www.whoscored.com/Players/22079/History/Jonny-Evans

 

[Getsme]

Absolute reactionary bollox.

 

[Jagga7]

Absolute reactionary bollox.

He's 100% is a ball playing centre half and his distribution has been nowhere near terrible. The stats back this up.

Has there been problems with other aspects of his game? Of course there has, but his ability to pass a football certainly wasn't/ isn't one of them.

He's been an accident waiting to happen this season. He made a terrible pass yesterday which led to the Shane Long chance. He made another terrible pass which led to a goal in the Carling cup debacle and he also made another in the game right after that. That's 3 I can remember on the top of my head and he's barely played this season!

I definitely wouldn't complain if he was sold at the end of the season.

 

[Getsme]

Its more than that though. Sums up a lot of the nonsense in this thread of late.

You said his distribution has been terrible in recent years. Its hardly a difference of opinion when the stats prove this simply isn't true.

I get people don't like him but making stuff up doesn't aid sensible debate

http://www.whoscored.com/Players/22079/History/Jonny-Evans

When you look at his average rating on there it shows just how underrated Evans is on here.

 

[Alock1]

Has he played in a back 4 yet this season? I think the 4-0 against QPR and started the Leicester City game before being brought off at 2-1?

Clearly doesn't suit a back 5. Not sure any of them do but Evans particularly seems to struggle. Was generally a very good distributor of the ball in the past but it's been so casual and ridden with mistakes this season. Confidence likely to do with it too but he was very stop/start for us in the past too.

 

[Getsme]

He's been an accident waiting to happen this season. He made a terrible pass yesterday which led to the Shane Long chance. He made another terrible pass which led to a goal in the Carling cup debacle and he also made another in the game right after that. That's 3 I can remember on the top of my head and he's barely played this season!

I definitely wouldn't complain if he was sold at the end of the season.

So he's made one bad pass in a cup game playing alongside unfamiliar players after a long injury layoff, he then made a bad pass against QPR which didn't result in a goal, let's not forget he stopped a certain goal after a De Gea and Rojo blunder when the we were winning 1-0 in that game. Then he made a bad pass last night, correct me if I'm wrong but I think we made several bad passes last night, including one from Fellaini which actually lead to a goal.

 

[Chaky_Best]

‘There’s a difference between being fit and being match fit’. LVG.

I think that he was sloppy at times yesterday because he wasn’t match fit. When you’re out such a long time (since September) you have to play 4-5 games to be better, and he’ll need time to be solid again. I think that yesterday, he tried too much to force his nature and stick with the ‘PHILOSOPHY’. He could have kick the ball a lot of time, but always tried to play a good pass. Yeah he missed few, but he wasn’t really helped by Fellaini or Valencia. So it wasn’t really his fault.

I always thought that from Smalling, Jones and him, he was the best defender. He has experience now and played some terrific games next to Vidic and Rio at times. He has been unnoticed because his partners were monsters, but during our last winning campaign, he was absolutely great.

I hope that we can build his fitness enough for Pool this Sunday

 

[Ducklegs]

When you look at his average rating on there it shows just how underrated Evans is on here.

Whoscored isnt the greatest source in the world to get objective stats from.

It crucifies just as many top players as it elevates shit ones.

 

[izec]

Sell him, dont care

 

[Zoo]

Put him in a back 4. He isn't very adaptable and struggles in the 352, so can others but the likes of Smalling and Rojo have the pace to run themselves out of trouble when on the ball.

 

[izec]

I think you would be surprised at the calibre of clubs that would be interested in him if we ever decided to sell.

Yes Barca have room for another crock, him and Vermaelen will be the perfect CB pairing in the physioroom.

 

[Jagga7]

So he's made one bad pass in a cup game playing alongside unfamiliar players after a long injury layoff, he then made a bad pass against QPR which didn't result in a goal, let's not forget he stopped a certain goal after a De Gea and Rojo blunder when the we were winning 1-0 in that game. Then he made a bad pass last night, correct me if I'm wrong but I think we made several bad passes last night, including one from Fellaini which actually lead to a goal.

It's a reoccurring theme with Evans and its a major problem if you're the last man and giving the ball away. Coming back from injury is a poor excuse for making bad decisions. I thought he could go to become a top defender a few years back but he still has too many mistakes in him.

Yes Fellani did make a bad pass and most of understand he's not good enough to be playing even though he has done well in the last few weeks.

 

[NK86]

It's a reoccurring theme with Evans and its a major problem if you're the last man and giving the ball away. Coming back from injury is a poor excuse for making bad decisions. I thought he could go to become a top defender a few years back but he still has too many mistakes in him.

Yes Fellani did make a bad pass and most of understand he's not good enough to be playing even though he has done well in the last few weeks.

Rojo gave the ball away in really dangerous positions. Young made a similar awful pass as Fellaini.

 

[Godfather]

Rojo gave the ball away in really dangerous positions. Young made a similar awful pass as Fellaini.

And still you wouldn't expect that from a CB that has played that many games for us already. He is the most experienced CB we have atm. He is still very prone to those mistakes sadly

 

[Getsme]

It's a reoccurring theme with Evans and its a major problem if you're the last man and giving the ball away. Coming back from injury is a poor excuse for making bad decisions. I thought he could go to become a top defender a few years back but he still has too many mistakes in him.

Yes Fellani did make a bad pass and most of understand he's not good enough to be playing even though he has done well in the last few weeks.

Every player takes time to get back to their best after injuries, even Messi. With the exception of RVP everyone made terrible passes yesterday, what was there excuse? Rojo, Fellaini, McNair, Mata, Rooney, Young, Valencia, Herrera, Smalling, Carrick all made terrible passes in dangerous areas.
The unfair bashing Evans gets in here is why I feel I have to come in here and defend him all the time.

 

[NK86]

And still you wouldn't expect that from a CB that has played that many games for us already. He is the most experienced CB we have atm. He is still very prone to those mistakes sadly

He made one bad pass. I am sure we can actually put that down to being a bit rusty. Let's see if he can recapture his form that made him our #1 CB last season and the one before that.

 

[Devil may care]

LvG didn't help him last night by putting him into the back 3 instead of leaving Carrick in midfield and reverting to a back 4. I am far from convinced Evans is going to be here come the start of next season but he has a few starts coming up with Smalling injured again and Jones still out, to make a case for himself with LvG.

 

[Spielmacher]

He made one bad pass. I am sure we can actually put that down to being a bit rusty. Let's see if he can recapture his form that made him our #1 CB last season and the one before that.

He didn't show any of that in his games this season, it's more than just rusty, he looks completely empty and is showing no signs of any self-confidence . If he continues to find his form at this rate we might as well sell him.

 

[Jagga7]

He made one bad pass. I am sure we can actually put that down to being a bit rusty. Let's see if he can recapture his form that made him our #1 CB last season and the one before that.

It's not one bad pass. He's done it multiple times in really bad area's. Everyone

Every player takes time to get back to their best after injuries, even Messi. With the exception of RVP everyone made terrible passes yesterday, what was there excuse? Rojo, Fellaini, McNair, Mata, Rooney, Young, Valencia, Herrera, Smalling, Carrick all made terrible passes in dangerous areas.
The unfair bashing Evans gets in here is why I feel I have to come in here and defend him all the time.

It's not unfair bashing. He's done it so many times that it becomes a concern. Fair enough everyone loses the ball on occasions but you can't do it when you the last line of defence.



That first goal is a perfect example of why he is getting criticism. He has done something similar to that atleast 3 times this season, which is totally unacceptable.

 

[Momochiru]

He wasn't as bad as most make him. Considering he just came back from a long layoff, he actually had a good game. Yes, he messed up a few passes, but everyone did that yesterday - the reason was the aggressive pressing.

 

[Getsme]

It's not one bad pass. He's done it multiple times in really bad area's. Everyone


It's not unfair bashing. He's done it so many times that it becomes a concern. Fair enough everyone loses the ball on occasions but you can't do it when you the last line of defence.



That first goal is a perfect example of why he is getting criticism. He has done something similar to that atleast 3 times this season, which is totally unacceptable.

Sorry, but that's bollocks. Evans has been blamed many many times for goals conceded that either wasn’t his fault or ones he could do nothing about, using a few bad passes as a bat to beat him with is a fine example of that.

I’ve heard people bring up the Dons game time and time again yet seem to conveniently forget all the good he has done this season, or choose to accept it in case they have to admit he’s not as shit as they want to believe. Even the great Vidic, Rio and Stam made plenty of mistakes and it was brushed off as they were fan favourites, when a scapegoat makes the tiniest mistake people want his balls on a plate.

 

[sunama]

At present we are using a rotation system, where defenders are played if they are fit. This is the only requirement. We can't choose who we play.
Its got so bad, that yesterday Carrick was being played in defence.
We cannot sell any of our defenders. In fact, we need to buy more (squad) defenders, to ensure that we have enough defenders to play a game.

Imagine what would've happened this year, if we were in the CL?
We would probably end up fielding 3 midfielders in defence, in some of games.

 

[Revan]

I think that the main problem is that while Evans looked very good when he played with a great defender (Rio or Vidic), he never convinced me when he was the most senior defender. Now that those two are gone, Evans looks not that good. I hope that he can improve this season, otherwise it might be the last season for him here.