31 July 2023 , 15:51
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Erik ten Hag's decision to sign Jonny Evans this summer will have gone down well with his predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 35-year-old was permitted to train with the club this summer after his contract expired at Leicester. However, Ten Hag then made the surprise call to offer the centre back a short term deal, giving him the chance to impress in pre-season with the Dutch boss seemingly making provisions for the possible exit of Harry Maguire.
In his first stint at Old Trafford, Evans played 198 games for the club, winning three Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League with the Red Devils. But after nine years in Manchester, the arrival of Louis van Gaal signalled the end for Evans as he was sold to West Brom in 2015.
Three years later, Leicester triggered the £3.5 million relegation release clause and he became a pivotal player for the Foxes, taking the captain's armband when helping the club to their FA Cup win in 2021. And that same year, then United manager Solskjaer didn't hold back on Van Gaal's initial decision to let him go.
“You know, Jonny Evans should have been a Manchester United player now, of course," said Solskjaer. "But sometimes football takes you other places when changes in management happen. I’m sure that Jonny Evans has feelings for Manchester United and we have feelings for him too."
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However, the Norwegian also expressed delight that his former teammate had prospered after leaving United: "It is a pleasure to see him playing as well as he does and we just have to move on. We want to build our next youth team on players like Jonny Evans."
Jonny Evans penned a short-term deal with Man United this summer (Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Can Manchester United win the Premier League this season? Comment below.
The admiration was clearly shared by Ten Hag, who signed Evans in time for him to board the plane for their tour of America. And Evans, who also has 102 caps for Northern Ireland, was a second half substitute as United ended their trip with a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
He replaced Maguire on the hour mark, but not before the England centre back had become involved in an angry confrontation with new keeper Andre Onana. And whether Evans' second stint ay United becomes a long term one could well hinge on whether or not Maguire remains at the club.
Despite losing the captaincy and seemingly facing an uphill battle for his place in the side, the 30-year-old wants to stay at the club. West Ham have already had a £20 million bid rejected, although are expected to return with an improved offer.