'He shouldn't be at Man United but he'll probably get a new contract' - team-mate can't understand decision

Rio Ferdinand admits he would not be surprised if Jonny Evans is offered a new contract at Manchester United.

The Northern Irishman signed a short-term deal at Old Trafford in the summer with the intention of him being a backup option at centre-back. However, an injury crisis in defence for much of the campaign has forced Erik ten Hag to pick the 36-year-old in 23 matches across all competitions so far.

Evans is currently in his second spell at United having played at the club for almost a decade before leaving to join West Bromwich Albion in August 2015. And one of Evans' former teammates, Ferdinand has admitted his surprise at the solid performances of United's senior defender.

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“I didn’t expect him to come in and play as many games and I didn’t expect him to do as well as he’s done,” he said on his FIVE podcast. “But he hasn’t put a foot wrong, it’s crazy.

"He’s good with the ball, he’s probably good with the younger players. He’ll probably go into coaching after. He wouldn’t have expected to play as many games but listen, the way he’s going it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a new contract, if not there then definitely somewhere else.

“But really, as well as he’s done and as much as I admire him as a professional, really he shouldn’t be at Man United. It just shows you where they are. He shouldn’t be being asked to come in and play and chase [Erling] Haaland around. That’s not what the top clubs are doing nowadays.”