Evans: I had butterflies in my stomach!
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Evans: Eager To Compete On The Field
Monday, October 7, 2024, at 8:00 AM
Despite having played hundreds of matches in his impressive career, Jonny Evans confessed that he felt "butterflies in his stomach" right before stepping onto the field at Villa Park on Sunday.
The seasoned Northern Irish player took to the field for the fifth time this season across various competitions, partnering with Harry Maguire in central defense for the Reds in their match against Unai Emery's team.
A seasoned defender, the 36-year-old had a strong performance throughout the entire match, helping United secure their third straight clean sheet away from home in the Premier League.
Jonny put on an outstanding performance that earned him the Man of the Match award, receiving 57 percent of the votes from United fans through our app.
In an interview with MUTV afterwards, Evans shared his enthusiasm about the upcoming match in the West Midlands. He had received the news from Erik ten Hag that he would be in the starting lineup while returning home from the Europa League game against FC Porto, as the coach was making changes to his central defense.
"I really enjoy visiting Villa Park; it always gives me a great feeling," our number 35 shared with Mark Sullivan in the tunnel. "On the flight back from Porto, the coach mentioned that I would be playing, so I needed to mentally prepare. I had been feeling quite relaxed, but once we got to the stadium, I started to feel those butterflies in my stomach. I was eager to get out there and compete."
Evans, a product of the club's Academy, believes that his playing style remains the same even though he is approaching the end of his career. He truly values every chance he gets to wear the iconic United jersey.
“Playing for this club is still an honor,” he shared with Sky Sports. “I truly relish every game I participate in now.”
"The challenges that come with it are just a part of the experience. When you look at the fans at the end, you can see the encouragement they provide to the team. They have been incredibly supportive of the players throughout the years."
"I still feel like I'm playing the same game as before. I believe I have the stamina in my legs to help me navigate through tough times."
Even though the Reds were unable to secure a victory, their draw against a strong Villa team on Sunday was seen as a good result for Ten Hag's squad as they head into the international break.
"We earned a valuable point playing against a strong team on their turf," Evans said. "After letting in three goals against FC Porto the other night, we aimed to tighten up our defense to improve our chances. We were hoping for a single moment of brilliance, perhaps while counter-attacking, and we almost achieved that right at the end."
"Credit to Villa. They have some skilled players, and it's always challenging to relax against them. You need to stay alert and prepared at all times."
Monday, October 7, 2024, at 8:00 AM.
