It was a very different story when I faced William Saliba compared to him. He’s too strong and fast for me, he’s the toughest DF I’ve ever had to come up against”- Manchester City star Jeremy Doku names Man United £34M sensation as the toughest defender he’s faced so far in his career – Not Maguire and not Yoro

Jeremy Doku, Manchester City’s explosive winger, has named the toughest defender he has ever faced, and surprisingly, it’s not William Saliba, Harry Maguire, or Ousmane Diomande Yoro. Instead, a £34 million Manchester United defender has caught his attention with an impressive combination of strength and speed. Known for his rapid pace and dazzling dribbling ability, Doku didn’t hold back in his praise, describing the defender as “too strong and too fast” to get past.

“When I faced William Saliba, it was a different story. But when I came up against him, it felt like I hit a wall every single time. He’s the toughest defender I’ve ever had to face,” Doku admitted in a recent interview. His revelation has sparked debate among fans, given that he has gone up against some of Europe’s top defenders, including Saliba, Ruben Dias, and Achraf Hakimi.

But which £34 million Manchester United star was Doku referring to? While defenders like Harry Maguire have often been in the spotlight at Old Trafford, Doku’s praise was not directed at the under-pressure Englishman. Nor was it about Yoro, the highly regarded young defender making headlines across Europe. Instead, his admiration was aimed at Jonny Evans. Yes, Jonny Evans—the experienced yet often overlooked Northern Irishman—has seemingly earned the respect of one of the Premier League’s trickiest wingers.

Doku’s words shed light on just how crucial Evans has been for Manchester United this season. Initially brought in as a short-term solution, he has showcased outstanding composure, tactical intelligence, and the physical attributes necessary to neutralize even the league’s most rapid attackers. His defensive awareness and positioning have repeatedly frustrated forwards, leaving players like Doku struggling to make an impact.

For United supporters, Doku’s comments provide a refreshing shift in perspective amid a season that has seen defensive inconsistencies. Could Evans emerge as an unlikely leader in Erik ten Hag’s defensive setup? That remains to be seen, but for now, he has earned the admiration of one of the Premier League’s brightest talents.