Jonny Evans' Much-Needed Return to the Manchester United Side Is Still on Hold

Jonny Evans returned from injury to play an hour of a reserve match for Manchester United last week. Despite United's continuing injury woes, Louis van Gaal feels he is still not quite ready for a call-up against Hull City on Saturday.

Evans featured in the Reds' reserve side that beat Blackburn Rovers 5-0 in the Lancashire Senior Cup. He returned to training just under two weeks ago and was pleased to get some game time following the injury that has kept him sidelined since September.

Evans told MUTV, per manutd.com:

"

It's nice to get 60-odd minutes under my belt.

It's been a long time coming. I didn't expect to be out this long so I'm pleased to get some minutes. I thought the lads played well and it was an enjoyable game to be part of.

"

Injuries have affected every position of United's defence. Phil Jones, Rafael, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw are all out at the moment—alongside the versatile Daley Blind (who has been deployed in central defence already this season).

Evans is a player who was being tipped in some quarters as a possible United captain before Van Gaal chose Wayne Rooney, as noted in the Express earlier in the season.

He is certainly the most composed of United's current centre-backs.

Chris Smalling is prone to aberrations such as those which resulted in his dismissal performance against Manchester City, whereas both Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones show a tendency to overcommit and rush in to tackles at times (resulting in injury such as that sustained by Rojo in the same derby match).

In an ever-changing back line, the Red Devils have missed the Northern Ireland international's calm demeanour in defence.

The return of Smalling from suspension did add a little more experience for the game against Arsenal last weekend—and youngsters Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett have deputised superbly when called upon. However, United have not looked entirely comfortable this season when playing with three centre-backs.

United fans might feel more comfortable if the side can revert to a more familiar defensive formation with some older heads available to bolster it.

During Friday's pre-match press conference, Louis van Gaal gave the surprise news that Rojo might be available for selection:

Jon Super/Associated Press

"I have to train the last session and I live day by day at this moment," Van Gaal told the press conference, per ManUtd.com, "so maybe Falcao can come back in the 18 [matchday squad], maybe Rojo can come back in the 18. That's it I think."

And although Rojo appears to be deemed ready for selection, the United manager said that—despite his appearance for the reserves—Evans is not yet ready to return to the first team.

Van Gaal told MUTV, per Manchester Evening News:

"

Evans is, of course, out with an injury that takes a lot of weeks, so he has to develop match rhythm and that’s why he had to play in the second team.

He played 60 minutes but then you don’t already have the match rhythm of the Premier League. He is fit to play but not for the Premier League.

"

There is, of course, a need to protect players coming back from injury—it is a difficult balancing act that Van Gaal must perform.

With Tyler Blackett the player most likely to be asked to move from the middle to stand in for Luke Shaw at right-back on Saturday afternoon, Van Gaal must hope that Rojo passes muster (and that he doesn't come to rue Evans' prolonged absence).