Manchester United Close to Shocking Comeback Deal for Beloved Former Star
Reports suggest that Manchester United have reached an agreement to welcome back former defender Jonny Evans in a youth development capacity.
Evans concluded his distinguished playing career with a two-season stint at United, the same club he had initially joined over twenty years ago after departing his homeland of Northern Ireland. Following his role as a reliable substitute during the closing period of Sir Alex Ferguson's successful era, Evans went on to spend eight years playing for West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City.
Erik ten Hag approved a temporary contract for the experienced defender in summer 2023, though Evans ultimately remained longer than the manager himself. Two years following that initial short-term agreement meant to bolster numbers for pre-season matches, the 37-year-old announced his retirement from professional football at the conclusion of May.
Nevertheless, his connection with Manchester United might continue. The Athletic indicates that Evans is engaged in "advanced discussions" with the club about potentially joining as a loan coordinator, with responsibilities including overseeing the progress of young academy players during their temporary assignments away from Old Trafford.
United have operated without a dedicated person in this position since Les Parry departed the organization last November to assume control of the ambitious Saudi Arabian team NEOM SC. The Athletic further reports that Evans's responsibilities would encompass choosing appropriate clubs that would best serve each developing young talent.
Evans himself gained significant value from this identical strategy during his formative playing years. The Northern Irish prospect was loaned to Royal Antwerp for the opening half of the 2006–07 season and, according to the Belgian team's then-coach Warren Joyce, "developed into a defensive powerhouse."
"The plan was for him to remain there the entire season, but his performances were so impressive that they recalled him to Sunderland where he contributed to their promotion," Joyce fondly remembered in a later conversation with the Manchester Evening News. "Had he remained there, I believe Antwerp would have achieved promotion rather than Sunderland."
United's present loan arrangement serves more as a temporary solution. Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho were all sent out on loan deals in an urgent attempt to reduce salary expenses after losing favor in Manchester. Amad Diallo, among the few bright spots under Ruben Amorim, did gain from a loan period at Sunderland before developing into a regular first-team player in the 2024–25 season.