Ten Hag: We're so happy to have Evans

The experienced centre-back was impressive in helping United register a clean sheet and get back to winning ways at Old Trafford in the lunchtime kick-off, receiving a standing ovation on his way off the pitch, when he was replaced by Willy Kambwala in the 89th minute.

Academy graduate Evans, in his second spell at the club having rejoined in the summer after eight years away, has been a reliable figure for Ten Hag when called upon this term and has now made 24 appearances in total.

Jonny has regularly provided an assured presence at the back when picked, and his availability has also been appreciated by the boss, in a campaign that the Reds have had to make frequent defensive changes during due to injuries.

“Oh yeah, [I have been] very [impressed],” Ten Hag said about Evans, in his post-match press conference after the Everton game.

“We are so pleased we signed the fifth centre-back because normally, you say: 'Why five centre-backs in the squad?' But you see, we are so happy we did this.

“As you see, his performance across the season, he’s such an important player for this squad. [He will] always be there when he’s needed and give good performances.”

Evans has often featured from left-centre-back, a void that has needed to be filled for much of 2023/24 in Lisandro Martinez's absence, but the Northern Irishman started Saturday's game on the right of the pairing in the heart of our defence, with Raphael Varane.

The pair kicked off last weekend's Manchester derby the other way round, and Ten Hag expanded on the thinking behind the switch for Everton's visit when asked about it in his after-match media briefing.

“It’s tactical, today we swapped it from the start,” the boss explained.

“Sometimes they swap in the game, today was more Raphael on the left, Jonny on the right.

“We can swap from game to game, it depends on many areas why we do this.”