Man United sign Jonny Evans on shock short-term deal to add to centre back options in pre-season… with Harry Maguire not back yet and linked with a move after losing captaincy
Jonny Evans #JonnyEvans
Jonny Evans has made a surprise return to Manchester United after being handed a short-term contract to play for his old club in pre-season.
Evans, who is a free agent after leaving Leicester City this summer, could feature against Lyon at Murrayfield on Wednesday, eight years after his last appearance for United.
The 35-year-old Northern Ireland defender will also go with an academy squad to train in San Diego and play Wrexham on United’s tour of the US having worked with the Under-21s at Carrington recently.
Evans, who came through United’s youth system and won the Champions League and three Premier League titles at Old Trafford, is also said to have impressed manager Erik ten Hag in some first-team sessions.
There is a possibility that the former West Brom defender could earn a longer deal at United, particularly if Harry Maguire leaves after losing the captaincy.
Centre back Jonny Evans has rejoined Manchester United on a short-term contract
United confirmed the shock news on social media on Tuesday afternoon
Evans is considering his long-term options after leaving Leicester City last month
A United statement read: ‘Experienced defender Jonny Evans has signed a short-term deal to enable him to take part in Manchester United’s upcoming pre-season games in Edinburgh and San Diego.
‘The academy graduate had been training with the Under-21s whilst considering his options, following his departure from Leicester City at the end of last season.
‘As part of the academy training programme, he has also taken part in a number of first-team sessions and impressed Erik ten Hag and the coaching staff.
‘Evans, who has been capped 102 times by Northern Ireland, will travel to Edinburgh as part of the group to face Lyon on Wednesday.
‘Jonny will then join up with the academy group that will travel to San Diego, while the first-team squad are in New York.
‘The centre-back played 198 games for the first team before departing the club in 2015, having won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, three Premier League titles and two League Cups.’
Evans won the Premier League three times in his first spell at United, before leaving in 2015
Evans’ chances of a permanent return could be boosted if Harry Maguire leaves the club
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