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Erik ten Hag praised \u201cmassively important\u201d Jonny Evans after the defender was drafted into the starting line-up and helped Manchester United to a 1-0 victory against Burnley.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old made his first start for the club since 2015 and, as well as helping secure a much-needed clean sheet, set up Bruno Fernandes for the only goal after having an earlier header ruled out.<\/p>\n
Evans re-signed for the club earlier this month following his release by Leicester, and boss Ten Hag said: \u201cWe have problems and in this moment a lot is against us: injuries, decisions and we have all seen the examples.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very happy to have a player like Jonny Evans in the squad. He comes in and he is calm, composed, he has character and a good skill-set. Even when you have things against you, you can bounce back and then you have the character in the team to do that.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn the summer, I heard he was in to train with the under-23s, I said \u2018Fletch (technical director Darren Fletcher), come bring him in with the first team. Maybe he can help us\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI already saw in pre-season with the schedule, the problems with the numbers in the squad. We decided to sign him because I think he can really contribute to the squad and today you have seen how massively important he can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fernandes\u2019 first-time volley from Evans\u2019 ball over the top was a moment of real quality in a game where Ten Hag knew United could not afford another slip-up after three losses in a row.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a must-win and we knew that,\u201d said the Dutchman, who had no complaints about the disallowed goal with Rasmus Hojland deemed to be offside and interfering in front of goalkeeper James Trafford.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe team responded on the pitch. You could see the togetherness in the dressing room. It was a squad performance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Burnley are still looking for their first win following promotion back to the Premier League and have picked up only one point from their first five games.<\/p>\n
But manager Vincent Kompany was pleased with the performance of his side, who hit the post in the first half through Zeki Amdouni and had several other good opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had two or three massive chances, really big,\u201d said the Clarets\u2019 boss. \u201cThe one from Jay Rod (Rodriguez) where he is controlling the ball in front of the keeper and then slices it, the one from (Jacob) Bruun Larsen, one-on-one with the keeper, just takes his touch a little bit too far.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThen obviously the one from Zeki Amdouni that hits the post and rolls out. I don\u2019t think you get many more big chances against a team like United. We have to take the positives from it and learn from the things we could do better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am a rational mind, I thought 14 new players, and you see City, United, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham all within the first 10 games and you know this might be a difficult start but, if I look at the performance today, our moment will come.\u201d<\/p>\n