Jonny Evans is back on the pitch for Manchester United on a short basis to provide backup and gain from his expertise.
Jonny Evans considered retiring from football during his final months at Leicester City, but he believes those troubles are behind him and that he is in a “good place” to return to Manchester United.
Evans’ contract at Leicester expired in the summer, so he was invited back to Carrington to train and stay fit while he considered his next move.
The defender went through the club’s system before departing in 2015, and a club source said in July that it’s “part of the club philosophy that former players are always welcome back.”
In order to assist the reserves on the preseason tour in the United States, Evans subsequently made the trip. In September, it was revealed that Evans had signed a one-year contract.
Despite being brought in to give defensive backup, he has now played more than 200 games for the team after being called upon to play against Brentford, Burnley, Crystal Palace, and Arsenal due to an injury problem.
Evans is currently in the winter of his career, though he had considered retiring before joining United. He turns 36 in January.
At a press conference prior to Northern Ireland’s match against Slovenia, Evans was questioned about retiring. “I think I went through a stage last year where you start thinking, ‘Maybe this is it coming to an end,’” Evans said to the media.
“Every time I returned, I was sobbing because I couldn’t get over the injuries. Many people told me that there was no way I was going to finish, but the only person you need to convince of your own abilities is you. I believe I have succeeded in doing so.
I’ve worked hard in the gym, finished my matches, and put all that behind me. You think, “There’s another one down,” each time you finish a match. There are moments when you have to tell yourself that.
“I’ve been pleased I’ve been able to go through that process. I feel I’m in a good place.”
