Opta assess whether Jonny Evans has done enough to keep his place in the Manchester United team.
With all three central defenders back in contention at United now, it seems that Evans will once again have to take a back seat and settle for a place on the bench at Old Trafford – unless either Nemanja Vidic or Rio Ferdinand pick up another injury or suspension.
The Northern Ireland international was again immaculate in the 0-0 draw at Inter in the Champions League as he deputised for suspended star Nemanja Vidic.
| Premier League 2008/09 |
|
|
|
| Player |
Jonny Evans |
Rio Ferdinand |
Nemanja Vidic |
| Appearances |
9 |
20 |
25 |
| Minutes On Pitch |
719 |
1,780 |
2,188 |
| Goal Attempts |
|
|
|
| Goals |
0 |
0 |
4 |
| Defending |
|
|
|
| Tackles Made |
12 |
26 |
41 |
| Tackles Won % |
67% |
77% |
73% |
| Blocks per game |
0.8 |
0.9 |
0.7 |
| Clearances per game |
7.6 |
8.6 |
10.4 |
| Interceptions per game |
1.4 |
2.2 |
2.0 |
| Opta Index |
Evans appeared in seven of United’s impressive 14 successive Premier League matches without conceding a goal, and impressed in the absence of England international defender Rio Ferdinand.
Undoubtedly one of his best performances came against Chelsea, in which he snuffed out the threat of both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka with ease. However, the case to play with the central defensive pairing of Ferdinand and Vidic is a strong one. Both defenders have made more clearances and interceptions per game on average, as well as having a greater tackle success rate.
| Premier League 2008/09 |
With Evans |
With Ferdinand |
With Vidic |
| Games |
9 |
20 |
25 |
| Wins |
8 |
13 |
19 |
| Draws |
1 |
5 |
4 |
| Losses |
0 |
2 |
2 |
| Goals Against |
2 |
11 |
10 |
| Average Goals Against |
0.22 |
0.55 |
0.40 |
| Win % |
89% |
65% |
76% |
| Points per game |
2.78 |
2.20 |
2.44 |
| Opta Index |
One argument that Evans has, however, is that in the nine Premier League games that he has appeared in for The Red Devils this season; they have yet to lose. On average, United have only conceded 0.22 goals a game when he has been in the side, compared to 0.55 when Ferdinand has appeared and 0.4 with Vidic.
If fit, the youngster is expected to feature in the Carling Cup final against Tottenham at Wembley.