Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s decision to continue his erratic rotation by dropping Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt against Aston Villa proved correct. Jonny Evans – a shock inclusion – was named Man of the Match after helping the visitors to their fourth clean sheet in seven Premier League games at Villa Park.
Evans has so often performed when called upon since his surprise return last year. The 36-year-old, turning 37 in January, is ageing like a fine wine.
However, his inspired introduction may have done Ten Hag more harm than good amid an ongoing inquest into the £200million with which he was backed in the summer.
INEOS displayed that he retained their faith by spending heavily, facilitated by several high-profile player sales.
But so far, there has been little return. Over £300m of Ten Hag’s signings started on the bench against Villa, most of which can’t be considered successes.
Antony (£86m) produced an ineffective cameo, as did Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5m). The jury has already agreed that the £70m spent on Casemiro was a wild mismanagement of funds.
And the fact that Ten Hag’s latest arrival, £50m midfielder Manuel Ugarte, wasn’t called upon at all after his misery in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham puts the cherry on the cake.
Among them sat De Ligt and Martinez, brought to Old Trafford for a combined £100m but losing their spots to Evans and Maguire, two players many didn’t expect to stay beyond the summer.
They have been Ten Hag’s first-choice centre-back pairing this season, but another incompatible display in Thursday’s 3-3 draw against Porto prompted necessary action.
As much as the Dutchman’s call to select Evans helped United earn a point at Villa, the personnel on the bench can’t have given the club’s hierarchy confidence to hand him any more funds.
After full-time at Villa Park, Evans admitted that the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future was impacting his players.
“It does affect the players. It’s on our minds too,” the United No. 35 told BBC Match of the Day.
“I think the more experience I’ve got in my career, I’ve made sure I do everything you can to be ready and give everything I can to the team.”
He added: “That was the important thing to show the spirit in the team. Everyone competed as much as they could. That’s a pleasing thing to see.
“You never have everyone available throughout the season. It’s important everyone coming in is ready to go when they’re ready.”
It’s now down to INEOS to decide whether Ten Hag will still be in the dugout after the October international break.
