What Erik ten Hag has told Jonny Evans about his role at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag made it clear to Jonny Evans that he would be used as a cover option at Manchester United, something the defender is more than happy to operate as.

The defender started his first Reds game in eight years in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Burnley and provided a sublime assist for Bruno Fernandes’ winning strike. He was filling in after Lisandro Martinez picked up an injury ahead of the trip to Turf Moor.

Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire are also still sidelined with Victor Lindelof partnering Evans in central defence against the Clarets. The 35-year-old returned to United after being released by Leicester in the summer.

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Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Evans insisted that he is not looking to usurp any of his centre half colleagues and is happy to play the role of back-up at United.

“No, not at all, I was told I’d come in as cover for the other players, which was completely fine,” he responded when asked about pushing for a starting XI spot. “That’s the mindset.

“There’s been a few injuries with Harry [Maguire] and [Lisandro] Martinez out injured and Rapha [Varane] coming back from a time out. So it’s just trying to be ready, mentally ready and I came in tonight just filling in.”

Evans was taken on the pre-season tour of the US by Ten Hag having returned to Carrington to build up fitness following his exit from Leicester. The United boss wanted to keep him on after impressing him over the summer and a one-year deal was agreed.

Evans - who called his outing versus Burnley “one of the best nights of my life” - said it was a scenario he never truly believed would come to fruition. He