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The Wednesday Wonder: Jonny Evans | 
With injuries mounting quickly along the Manchester United back line, somebody has needed to step up. Left back Patrice Evra was out for a long time, came back for the Chelsea match, got injured, and is now out for 3 more weeks. Center back Rio Ferdinand’s injury woes continue (although he may be back for United’s FA Cup match this coming weekend). Also, Wes Brown has been practically nonexistent this season.
So whose job was it to step up? Sir Alex chose to go with inexperience and youthful exuberance. Jonny Evans, it’s your turn to have an impact. Since being thrown into the mix, he has now started 7 consecutive games (all competitions included). In those 7 matches, United have given up 1 goal. That lone goal came against Derby in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. Editor’s Note: Yes, this Wednesday Wonder was written before the second leg.
With Evans in the lineup, United have been able to offset their poor offensive performances with dominating defensive displays. The pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Evans roaming the back, two monsters in their own right, has been able to strike fear into the hearts of any and all attacking teams (Exhibit A: Chelsea). As long as the defense can keep this up, United could really get going come the beginning of February when Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, and Wayne Rooney are all expected to be back. If the offense can get things going as well, watch out. Manchester United is sitting comfortably near the top of the table, and that is with an injury-plagued team (not to mention an out of form Cristiano Ronaldo). Now imagine the possibilities when everybody returns. Liverpool and Chelsea need to get some consistency going as well, else a third straight title could be heading towards Old Trafford.
Evans has helped to lead the core of a defense that has really needed to step up in the face of defensive depletion. He has filled the whole brilliantly. It looks like Sir Alex will have quite the dilemma on his hands once he gets all his defenders back. Evans has certainly proven that he deserves time on the pitch, but with Ferdinand and Vidic the centerpieces, lots of time seems unlikely. With that said, the future looks bright along the back line in Mancunia. Jonny Evans, you are this week’s Premiership Talk Wednesday Wonder.
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