Football
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans ‘Are The Best Two Centre-Halves’ Manchester United Have Got Says Peter Schmeichel
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished6 hours ago on October 07, 2024
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has claimed that Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are the ‘best two centre-halves’ that the Red Devils have within their squad following Sunday’s goalless draw against Aston Villa.
Erik ten Hag and his Manchester United side extended their winless run across all competitions to five straight matches on Sunday, as they played out a goalless draw away at high-flying Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Under pressure Ten Hag, whose squad has been ravaged by several injuries thus far this term, opted for a rotated centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire at Villa Park despite both Mattjihs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof being available.
While Maguire was forcibly withdrawn at the half time break due to injury, alongside fellow defender Noussair Mazraoui, 36-year-old Evans featured for the entire 90 minutes and managed to keep the in-form Ollie Watkins at bay.
The Northern Irishman won 100% of his tackles and aerial duels, made three clearances and completed one block, earning him a well-deserved man of the match award.
His performance, in what was just his first Premier League start of the 2024/25 campaign, earned plaudits from fans and pundits alike across social media, with ex-Red Devils goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel even claiming that Evans would be playing every game if it wasn’t for injuries.
Schmeichel: Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans Are United’s ‘Best Two Centre-Halves’
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Evans’ standout performance, Schmeichel said: “The only reason I believe Evans isn’t playing every game is that he picks up injuries. There is no issue in terms of his consistency.
“He was absolutely outstanding.”
Schmeichel was also full of praise for Maguire, claiming that he and Evans are the best two centre-halves United have available within their squad.
“For some reason, Maguire has upset the world. I don’t get that.
“I’ve said this for a long, long time, they [Maguire and Evans] are the best two centre-halves that we’ve got.”
Manchester United return to action with a home clash against Brentford following the international window, a tie in which they are heavily favoured to win among the UK’s best football betting sites, and Evans will surely be in with a strong chance of making a second successive start in the league.