Rio Ferdinand gives honest Jonny Evans verdict and highlights Manchester United transfer mistake

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United made an error in letting Jonny Evans leave the club in 2015.

Evans was named in the United starting XI for the first time in eight years against Burnley on Saturday evening, having secured a summer return following his release from Leicester. His first overall appearance back had come as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

Lisandro Martinez is the latest player to suffer an injury with Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane also sidelined with issues. It meant Evans started the match at Turf Moor alongside Victor Lindelof, who has played in United's last five matches.

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Ferdinand played alongside Evans during his career at United and said then-boss Louis van Gaal made a mistake in allowing him to leave for West Brom in 2015.

Unpacking Evans’ role in the United squad under Erik ten Hag, Ferdinand told TNT Sports: “He’s not the long-term answer and he would tell you that himself, he is an honest player, honest pro. He’s had a fantastic career. I don’t think he should have ever been allowed to leave the club when he did anyway.

“But right now, if you’re an opposition player and you see Evans, no disrespect to him, you’re thinking, ‘He couldn’t get in the Leicester team, and he’s playing here today. I fancy my chances of giving him a right go today’. But Jonny Evans is made of strong stuff and he won’t make it easy for anybody.”

Fellow pundit Peter Crouch reasoned: “He’s been brought in for this reason. Varane, Maguire, the centre halves are out. He’s always going to be a squad player and he’s never going to be a first-choice. He’s a good squad player, he’s a professional. I played against