Jonny Evans insists that Manchester United's squad is standing united and working hard to overcome their difficult run, despite intense speculation surrounding manager Erik ten Hag’s future. The team’s 0-0 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday marked their fifth consecutive match without a victory, bringing them into the international break with just three wins in total this season. United’s eight-point haul from seven league games is their lowest tally at this point since the 1989-90 season, reflecting the challenging situation facing both players and management.
Amid the struggles, Ten Hag remains confident in his support from the club hierarchy, with a scheduled monthly board meeting set for Tuesday. Evans, who made a surprise start in the match, acknowledged that external pressure affects the team but stressed the need for unity. “As players, we know our responsibilities,” he said. “We’re experienced enough to understand that staying together and showing resilience on the pitch is key, and today we showed that spirit.”
The defensive effort at Villa Park followed a troubling week, with a 3-0 home loss to Tottenham and a chaotic 3-3 draw against Porto, where United squandered a two-goal lead. Despite these setbacks, the team demonstrated resilience, especially with a pre-match huddle that Evans believes was initiated by captain Bruno Fernandes to rally everyone. “It wasn’t planned, but I think Bruno wanted to send a message of unity before we stepped on the pitch,” Evans noted.
United’s defensive cohesion at Villa Park came at the cost of offensive threat, with only Southampton scoring fewer goals in the Premier League. Reflecting on the performance, Evans said, “We committed fully to our defending, with even our forwards tracking back. That clean sheet gave us confidence, and hopefully, it will inspire us in attack as well. Sometimes, you just need to grind it out, go back to basics, and build from there.”
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