Jonny Evans, the seasoned defender, has been spotted at Manchester United’s Carrington training base, indicating a potential return to his former club after departing from Leicester City.
The Northern Ireland international began his football journey in Man United’s youth system and later made 198 appearances for the first team. His impressive tenure at Old Trafford saw him secure three Premier League titles, the Champions League, two League Cups, four Community Shields, and the Club World Cup.
Following his departure in 2015, Evans spent three years at West Bromwich Albion before moving to Leicester City. During his time with the Foxes, he made 152 appearances before eventually leaving on a free transfer.
Recent reports suggest that the 35-year-old has been training with Manchester United for the past week, sparking speculation about his future plans for the upcoming season. While it remains unclear whether a reunion with the 20-time English Champions is on the cards, the club is delighted to have his “quality and experience” on display as he trains with both the academy and first-team squads.
Unfortunately, Evans struggled with a calf injury during the 2022-23 season, which significantly limited his playing time to just 14 appearances across all competitions. As a result, Leicester City did not offer him a new contract, leaving him free to explore other options.
It’s believed that the seasoned center-back is keen on staying in the Premier League, and Everton is rumored to be interested in acquiring his services. Given his extensive experience in the top-flight, having featured in 356 matches, Evans would undoubtedly be a valuable addition to any team.
With Manchester United having released Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe this summer, and Eric Bailly expected to leave permanently, there may well be an opportunity for Evans to rejoin the Red Devils for the upcoming season.
Adding to the uncertainty, there are strong indications that Harry Maguire, the club captain, could be on his way out, as he is reportedly not in the plans of head coach Erik ten Hag for the 2023-24 campaign.
Man United has already begun their preparations for the new season with a convincing 2-0 victory against Leeds United, who are now competing in the Championship. They have more challenges ahead, with a fixture against Lyon scheduled for Wednesday before embarking on a pre-season tour in the United States.
Although key players like Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Marcus Rashford were present in Saturday’s training session, most of the first-team stars are returning later due to their international commitments. As a result, the upcoming match against Lyon is likely to feature a youthful squad, as head coach Erik ten Hag is cautious about rushing players back into action who have only recently returned to team training.
As fans eagerly await updates on Jonny Evans’ future destination, his presence at Manchester United’s training base has certainly sparked intrigue, and the possibility of a reunion with his former club has generated excitement among supporters. Only time will tell where the experienced defender will ply his trade next season, but for now, all eyes are on the developments at Carrington.
