Reportedly, Manchester United is considering the possibility of offering a permanent contract to defender Jonny Evans. The Northern Ireland international recently left Leicester City after their relegation from the Premier League, departing on a free transfer.
During his final two years at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, Evans’ appearances in the top flight were limited to just 31, with 13 of them occurring in their 2022-23 campaign. Despite his age of 35, Evans was expected to attract interest from several clubs, although most likely outside the Premier League, where he could find regular playing time.
Surprisingly, it was revealed earlier this month that his former club, Man United, extended an offer of a short-term deal to allow Evans to participate in their pre-season friendlies. And it didn’t take long for Evans to showcase his skills as he played the full second half in United’s 1-0 victory over Lyon in Scotland.
However, while he contributed to a win in that match, Evans hasn’t been included in the senior traveling squad for the United States tour. Instead, he is expected to feature in games with the younger players, starting with a match against Wrexham.
Yet, according to ESPN, there is potential for Evans to secure a permanent contract, possibly for the 2023-24 season. Head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly been impressed with Evans’ conduct and is open to considering him for a spot in the squad.
Evans is no stranger to life at Old Trafford, having made close to 200 appearances for Manchester United between 2006 and 2015, having progressed through their academy system. During his previous tenure at the club, he helped secure an impressive 11 pieces of silverware, including three Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy.
In his entire career, Evans has amassed an impressive 356 Premier League appearances, contributing 14 goals and 14 assists. Additionally, he has earned 102 caps for his country.
As of now, Ten Hag’s central-defensive options include Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire. However, Maguire’s future remains uncertain after being stripped of the captaincy.
With Evans showing promise in the pre-season friendlies, Manchester United’s management and coaching staff have much to deliberate on before making a final decision on whether to extend a permanent contract to the experienced defender.