What Jonny Evans did for Manchester United against Aston Villa can't be underestimated

Jonny Evans was only anticipating a squad role when he rejoined Manchester United in the final days of the summer. In the cold depths of winter, he has become an integral member of the first team squad.

Instead of the odd League Cup appearance, sightings in the back of training pictures and cameos in the club's commercial ventures, as many expected, he finds himself standing front and centre of all that is good with the current side.

For all their shortfalls in recent weeks, the experienced centre-back hasn't seen his own performance levels dip. He has brought consistency to the side at a time of upheaval and a calming presence amid the storm.

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It is only right United's forward players basked in the success of their impressive comeback win over Aston Villa in midweek. After all, the team that couldn't score managed to get three without reply.

Yet while Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund received the post-match attention, the full-time whistle told another story. Diogo Dalot celebrated wildly, Willy Kambwala raced back to fellow French speaker Andre Onana and Jonny Evans shared an embrace with Erik ten Hag.

Even though they switched off from two set-pieces, United's defenders still made huge contributions in the match to save any further blushes and ensure that there was always hope of a comeback.

Raphael Varane kept the backline in order and Evans made a huge block to deny Villa a third goal when the scores were level, which surely would have won them the game.

The 35-year-old will not get the personal accolades and credit he deserves for his contribution to United's