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| Jonny Evans of Manchester United looks dejected after the team's defeat in the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park on May 06, 2024 in London, England. |
Erik ten Hag says he has 'huge respect' for Jonny Evans after he stepped into the Manchester United line up against Crystal Palace despite not being fully fit.
The Irishman only returned to training late last week after a month on the sidelines and was due to start on the bench at Selhurst Park. However, Evans founds himself starting on Monday night after an injury ruled Harry Maguire out with a muscle injury on the eve of the match.
It left Ten Hag with no fully fit centre-back for the match with Evans and Casemiro selected to start against Palace, with Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Willy Kambwala and Maguire all still ruled out.
Evans and Casemiro both struggled against an electric Palace attack, but there was some sympathy for the manner of their individual performances given the lack of cover they were given by the midfield and the fact that they are both far down the pecking order.
Ten Hag is under no illusion that the performance wasn't good enough, but after the game he praised Evans for the character he showed to be involved in the match.
Asked if the veteran was set to start the game originally, he told reporters: "No, definitely not. A huge respect for Jonny that he stepped in, but he wasn't ready to go into this game. He only had two days training, so that is one example. but he played for 90 minutes and it is a reward that he did this. But of course, he can't play to the levels what he can normally do."
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