Manchester United already have replacements for two defenders who are leaving

Jonny Evans ran 'the tunnel' at Carrington last week to mark his return to training after a four-month absence.

Evans will get a louder ovation when he walks out of the Old Trafford tunnel next month for one last time against Aston Villa. It would be his final appearance in an impeccable 18-year professional career.

The 37-year-old's probable release by Manchester United this summer should also signal Evans' retirement. He admitted that had he not received a new contract last year he would have hung up his boots.

Three Premier League titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup and the Club World Cup at United alone is a remarkable return. Evans also represented Northern Ireland at their first major tournament in 30 years and shielded the Leicester City goal in their first and only FA Cup final triumph in 2021.

Evans' goodbye will then possibly be interrupted by an overbearing official beckoning him onto the United coach bound for Manchester Airport. United's post-season tour matches in Malaysia and Hong Kong are sufficient punishment for their worst set of players in 51 years.

It would be borderline callous to take Evans. The penny-pinchers at Ineos may also take a dim view of forking out for a plane ticket for a player who will never get a competitive kick for United again.

Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen will also be let go in June yet could have to board a flight for Kuala Lumpur. United are flying 7,039 miles only for the money, with their five-day trip due to rake in the best part of £10million.

Ordinarily, two centre-back departures would demand reinforcements. Not with Lindelof and Evans. The former has started eight times this season and Evans has lined up in six games.

Both have been injury-prone for upwards of a