Transfer Centre

Jonny Evans 'unsure whether he will be offered long-term Manchester United deal'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 August 2023

Evans 'unsure whether he will be offered long-term Man United deal'

Experienced centre-back Jonny Evans is unsure whether Manchester United will offer him a new long-term deal, according to a report.

Jonny Evans is reportedly unsure whether Manchester United will offer him a new long-term deal.

The 35-year-old started training with his former club at the beginning of July and was then handed a short-term contract in order to feature in the friendlies with Lyon and Wrexham.

Evans was then kept on for the latter stages of the club's pre-season tour of the United States, also playing against Borussia Dortmund, before featuring in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the Northern Ireland international has a contract at Old Trafford for at least another two weeks, and there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future.

A recent report claimed that Man United are preparing to hand him a one-year deal, with the centre-back making a huge impression on Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag during his time at the club.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans on July 19, 2023 © Reuters

However, it is understood that Evans is still unsure whether he will be offered the opportunity to pen a long-term contract with the club that he previously represented between 2004 and 2015.

The defender played for Man United's first team between 2006 and 2015, representing the team on 198 occasions during a successful spell.

Evans won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, four Community Shields and the Club World Cup during his time at Old Trafford before leaving for West Bromwich Albion.

The experienced centre-back has only lifted one piece of major silverware since, though, helping Leicester City to win the 2020-21 FA Cup.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag on July 19, 2023 © Reuters

Evans made 152 appearances for Leicester, including 121 outings in the Premier League, before leaving the Foxes at the end of June when his contract expired.

Everton were believed to be the favourites to sign him before he returned to Man United, and there will not be a shortage of takers if the Red Devils opt against handing him a longer-term deal.

Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, when fit, will again be the first-choice partnership at the back in the new season, with Victor Lindelof the next in line.

There remains widespread speculation surrounding Harry Maguire's future, though, and Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones have both left the club this summer.

Eric Bailly, meanwhile, is not in Ten Hag's plans moving forward, with the Ivory Coast international believed to be the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia.