New Man Utd signing scores stunning goal on international stage as midfielder provides three assists in win

New Manchester United signing Jonny Evans scored a superb solo goal for Northern Ireland against Slovenia on Thursday night but could not prevent his nation from falling to a 4-2 defeat which all but ended their Euro 2024 qualification hopes.

The Green and White army fell behind after three minutes in Ljubljana to Andraz Sporar’s opener but levelled just four minutes later via Isaac Price’s close-range finish.

Peter Stojanovic’s deflected shot then went in off Evans and was marked down as an own goal for the United defender as Benjamin Sesko then made it 3-1 to the hosts before half time.

Evans pulled one back early in the second half as he controlled a loose ball inside the area before turning back inside and firing into the top corner for a brilliant individual effort.

However, Sporar grabbed his second just three minutes later to knock the momentum out of a potential Northern Irish comeback. it leaves Michael O’Neill’s side with just one win from four Group H games and seven points behind Denmark in second.

Reflecting on the defeat, Evans admitted: “I didn’t think I played great myself. I know I got a goal but my own personal performance probably wasn’t up to scratch. I’m experienced enough and wise enough to admit that.

“We can’t be giving away cheap goals at the start of the game like we did. It was difficult to take in terms of the defence. That’s something we have always been solid and quite strong with. Even during the game I was thinking this is not a typical Northern Ireland match especially away from home.”

Meanwhile, both of United’s Danish contingent featured as the Scandinavian nation beat San Marino 4-0 in Copenhagen. Rasmus Hojlund was named as a substitute after only returning from injury against Arsenal while Christian Eriksen provided a hat-trick of assists in a comfortable win.

Spurs midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg gave the home side the lead before Eriksen provided the key passes for Joakim Maehle and Jonas Wind to give Denmark a 3-0 half-time advantage. Eriksen’s first assist was a clever backheel pass which cut through the San Marino backline.

Hojlund was introduced just after the hour before Yussuf Poulson added Denmark’s fourth which came from another Eriksen assist.