Former Manchester United player agrees to return on a short-team deal

In what can only be described as an unexpected turn of events, Manchester United’s one-time quality centre-back Jonny Evans has been re-signed by the club. An official statement by the side confirms that the 35-year-old has been signed on a short-term deal and has been included in the club’s ongoing preseason squad. In fact, the player is likely to make his appearance shortly as he is in contention for the friendly against Lyon on Wednesday. 

Evans was a club academy product and has featured for the Red Devils from 2006 (including initial loan spells) and was something of a regular feature until 2015. This meant that Evans was an integral part of the giants during the twilight of Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory days as the gaffer at Old Trafford. Evans has since had stints for West Bromwich Albion and more recently, Leicester City.

After becoming a free agent in the summer, Evans was spotted at Carrington with the understanding that he was training as a free agent to maintain fitness.

Player from SAF’s era makes Manchester United return

One of the headlines about the confirmed departure of David De Gea last week was that no player remained at the side who had been under Sir Alex Ferguson, particularly in the final years.

With Evan rejoining the side, that gap has been filled with quite an experienced pair of feet, albeit temporarily. It is speculated that Erik ten Hag was impressed by the defender. 

Also Read: Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr set to sign Manchester United defender, says Fabrizio Romano

While the club has not specified much, the fact that this is a short-term deal and that the Northern Irish international is included in the senior team only for the Lyon game and will then be with the Academy players for the Wrexham game in San Diego and not the senior squad again may be an indication that this is just a gesture to a former player and not much else.

However, supporters may not be entirely wrong to hope that this short-term stint transforms into a homecoming, particularly given the situation about Harry Maguire.