Familiar Jonny Evans problem could cost him extended Manchester United deal

Sir Alex Ferguson was rumoured to be astonished when he discovered Louis van Gaal had allowed Jonny Evans to leave Manchester United.

While never earning the plaudits like his peers Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, Evans was always seen as an underrated member of the United squad. His ease in which he could play out from the back showcased why he was able to keep his spot at Old Trafford for so long and perhaps hinted as to why Erik ten Hag has welcomed him into the fold again.

Evans signed a short-term contract earlier this month to feature in the US pre-season tour but with Harry Maguire's future at the club uncertain, it is unsurprising there is talk as to whether there might be a place for the Northern Irish defender beyond the next few days and weeks. While on paper a move makes sense, one fault in the 35-year-old's game could hamper him from completing an unlikely permanent return.

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As our chief United reporter Samuel Luckhurst noted at the Snapdragon Stadium, Evans has always struggled against a physical strike force. He once even named Derby County favourite Rob Hulse as his toughest ever opponent.

Unfortunately for Evans, that fallibility was evident again when the Northern Ireland international played against Wrexham on Wednesday morning. He looked uneasy against Wrexham's Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin before the latter was forced off through injury having got the better of Evans in a foot race prior to being challenge by keeper Nathan Bishop.

That leads to question marks in regards over Evans' future.