Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has labelled Northern Ireland icon Jonny Evans as “probably the most underrated player I’ve ever played with”.
Evans enjoyed two spells as a player at the Premier League giants, winning 12 trophies, including three league titles and a Champions League crown in 2008.
It was during his second spell at Old Trafford where England international Maguire played alongside Evans with the pair helping United seal FA Cup glory in the 2023/24 season.
Evans had a hugely successful playing career, which also included stints at West Brom and Leicester City alongside earning 107 caps for his country, representing Northern Ireland at the 2016 Euros.
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans while playing together for Manchester United. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)placeholder image
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans while playing together for Manchester United. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
When asked about his main defensive influencers who have also played for United, Maguire listed five – Steve Bruce, Rio Ferdinand, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Evans.
Highlighting Evans’ all-round ability, Maguire hailed him as “the best I’ve played with in terms” of consistently being active – a trait which he views as crucial for top defenders.
Evans is working alongside Maguire once again at Old Trafford, but this time in a different role after being named on Michael Carrick’s interim coaching staff until the end of the season.
He’s now passing his vast knowledge onto the club’s young stars and Maguire feels Evans didn’t get the praise he deserved throughout his career.
“He’s a great guy,” said Maguire on the club’s website. “Really calm, a real good player.
"When I speak about underrated players, I’d say Jonny, for me, was probably the most underrated player I’ve ever played with.
"If I was a young boy, or I was teaching someone to watch defending and watch body positioning and watch movement, I’d say: ‘Watch Jonny Evans.’ He was that good at his body positioning and the way that he’s so active in every part of the game.
"There are a lot more things to defending than making last-ditch tackles and making big challenges.
"They get the plaudits from the fans, but your body positioning, your footwork, the understanding of where you need to be...and the main thing as a defender, I always say, is being active in every part of the game, and Jonny was the best I’ve played with in terms of that.
"So he was an excellent player, and obviously coming towards the end when he came back to us at the club.
"But you could still see his quality. I saw a lot more of his quality obviously when he was at Leicester in his prime. But he was amazing to play with.”