Making his first start since returning to the club for a second spell last month, Evans had a headed goal ruled out for offside before his precise long pass found Bruno Fernandes to expertly volley home the game's only goal on the cusp of half time.
Ten Hag turned to Evans following a number of injuries to his defensive options, with Harry Maguire out injured and Raphael Varane only fit enough to take a place on the bench.
Evans' contribution to United's first win in three games did not go unnoticed as Ten Hag waxed lyrical about the 35-year-old, who joined as a free agent after leaving Leicester City this summer.
“We have problems and in this moment a lot is against us: injuries, decisions and we have all seen the examples, Ten Hag said.
“We are very happy to have a player like Jonny Evans in the squad. He comes in and he is calm, composed, he has character and a good skill-set. Even when you have things against you, you can bounce back and then you have the character in the team to do that.
“In the summer, I heard he was in to train with the under-23s, I said ‘Fletch (technical director Darren Fletcher), come bring him in with the first team. Maybe he can help us’.
“I already saw in pre-season with the schedule, the problems with the numbers in the squad. We decided to sign him because I think he can really contribute to the squad and today you have seen how massively important he can be.”
