* The "y" sound: In "funny," the "y" makes a vowel sound, but it's not a standard "e" sound. It's a vowel sound closer to the "i" in "bit" or the "u" in "put".
* The "n" influence: The "n" in "funny" influences the "y" sound, making it slightly more rounded and closer to a short "u" sound.
So, the sound of "y" in "funny" is a unique vowel sound that doesn't perfectly match any other vowel in English. It's a bit of a blend, influenced by the neighboring consonant.
It's interesting that you perceive it as a long "e" sound, as that's not a common perception. Perhaps it's your individual dialect or how you're processing the sound!