Jonny Evans’ last Man Utd XI including forgotten wonderkid and Premier League star

Jonny Evans has returned to Manchester United eight years after departing the Red Devils, with the centre-back set to appear in Wednesday’s friendly against Lyon

Jonny Evans last played for Manchester United in July 2015(MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images)

Jonny Evans is set to make his first appearance for Manchester United for eight years on Wednesday, as the Red Devils face Lyon in a pre-season friendly.

His last outing for the Red Devils also came in a friendly, as United defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 back in July 2015. Much has changed at Old Trafford since then, with none of the players who joined him in the starting line-up still at the club.

The centre-back was one of 10 changes at half-time that day, with United already two goals up thanks to strikes from Juan Mata and Memphis Depay. San Jose pulled one back through Fatai Alashe before the break.

Evans then entered the fray, with Andreas Pereira securing the win with a header just past the hour mark. Here, Mirror Football looks at who else lined up alongside Evans at the Avaya Stadium.

Sam Johnstone

Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was the only United player to feature for the entire 90 minutes against San Jose. The Englishman was never able to establish himself at Old Trafford, instead spending the majority of his time out on loan.

He was sold to West Brom in 2018 for £6.5million, winning promotion from the Championship the following season. They were relegated in their first season back in the top-flight, though Johnstone impressed, winning the club’s Player of the Year award.

Despite being the subject of heavy interest, West Brom kept hold of the keeper for their first campaign back in the second tier. But he left on a free transfer to Crystal Palace last summer, eventually taking over as number one towards the end of the season.

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Paddy McNair Paddy McNair struggled for opportunities after graduating from United’s academy(OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Full-back Paddy McNair had worked his way into the starting line-up after graduating from United’s academy the previous year. But he found opportunities harder to come by after the friendly in San Jose.

He joined Sunderland the following year, before being sold to Middlesbrough for £5million after two seasons with the Black Cats. He remains at the Riverside and is a regular on the international stage for Northern Ireland.

Chris Smalling Chris Smalling has impressed at Roma since leaving United( GETTY )

Evans’ partner at centre-back that day was Chris Smalling, who would go on to win United’s Player of the Year award at the end of that season. He was then sent off in the 2016 FA Cup final before falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho.

That led to him joining Roma on loan in 2019, making the move to the Serie A side permanent a year later. He has since become a key player under former foe Mourinho, winning the Europa Conference League in 2022.

Jonny Evans Jonny Evans has now returned to Old Trafford

After winning three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League with United, Evans would join West Brom after playing against San Jose. He won the Players’ Player of the Season award in his first campaign at the Hawthorns before being named captain in 2017.

After the Baggies were relegated, he joined Midlands rivals Leicester City for £3.5m. During five years at the King Power Stadium, he won the FA Cup, before leaving the Foxes after they were relegated and joining United on a short-term deal.

Tyler Blackett Tyler Blackett has forged a career in the Championship since leaving United(John Peters)

Though he featured for United against San Jose, Tyler Blackett would join Celtic on loan that summer. The fullback joined Reading a year later permanently, spending four years with the Royals.

Since leaving Reading, he has struggled to settle, spending one season each at Nottingham Forest and FC Cincinnati. The Englishman is now at Rotherham United, having joined the Championship side in March.

Jesse Lingard Jesse Lingard has struggled since leaving United(Getty Images )

Once a player who had high hopes of succeeding at Old Trafford, Jesse Lingard is now looking for a new club. He scored the winner in the 2016 FA Cup final, but fell out of favour at United, struggling for chances before joining West Ham on loan in January 2021.

After a successful time with the Hammers, he returned to United but spent his final year there on the bench. Lingard then moved to Nottingham Forest on a free transfer but was released last summer after just one season.

Bastian Schweinsteiger Bastian Schweinsteiger’s move to United proved to be a mistake(Simon Stacpoole / Offside)

Bastian Schweinsteiger was United’s star summer signing, having won the World Cup with Germany the previous year. The midfielder failed to hit the heights expected of him though as he reached the end of his career.

The German found himself out of favour after Mourinho arrived as manager and he was allowed to join Chicago Fire on a free transfer in March 2017. After two years in the MLS, Schweinsteiger announced his retirement and he now works as a pundit.

Ander Herrera Ander Herrera was a fan favourite at United(STUART ROBINSON)

Ander Herrera was one of United’s most impressive players for much of his time at Old Trafford. He won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year in 2017, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his time with the club.

He joined PSG on a free transfer in the summer of 2019, before being sent on loan to Athletic Bilbao three years later. That deal was made permanent in January and he remains with the LaLiga side.

Andreas Pereira Andreas Pereira has become a Premier League star since leaving United(PA)

Midfielder Andreas Pereira graduated from United’s academy in 2014, but was consistently sent out on loan. He was sold to Fulham for £10m last summer and impressed as the Cottagers finished in the top-half of the Premier League.

The Brazilian is now attracting interest from West Ham, but Fulham are keen to keep hold of the former United star.

Adnan Januzaj Adnan Januzaj failed to live up to expectations

There were high hopes for Adnan Januzaj when he broke into United’s starting line-up under David Moyes. But he failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford and was gradually phased out of the team.

After loans to Dortmund and Sunderland, he joined Real Sociedad in 2017, before moving to Sevilla on a free transfer last summer. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Istanbul Başakşehir and is now back at his parent club.

James Wilson James Wilson has become a prominent goalscorer in the lower leagues(Manchester Evening News)

Striker James Wilson failed to establish himself at United, instead making a loan move to Aberdeen permanent in 2019. The following year, he was bought by Salford City, owned by United legends the Class of 92.

The Englishman has developed a reputation for being a top goalscorer in the lower leagues. He joined Port Vale in 2021, firing them to promotion from League Two in his first season.