Manchester United signing was an unexpected bargain - but is about to leave Old Trafford

Jonny Evans left Leicester City upon the expiry of his contract and found himself without a club in June 2023. He decided to call his old teammate Darren Fletcher and the rest was history.

Fletcher invited Evans to maintain his fitness with Manchester United at Carrington and, after impressing Erik ten Hag, he was offered a one-year contract back at the club where his professional career began.

Evans has subsequently admitted he didn't expect to play much of a role, but the squad was ravaged by injuries and he made 30 appearances in all competitions, including 17 starts.

Although it was a challenging season for United, Evans was excellent and he described starting against Burnely in September 2023, when he made his 200th appearance for the club, as one of the "best nights" of his life.

"I loved every minute of it," he told TNT Sports. "Before the game you get a feeling, I couldn't wait, just pure excitement. Coming up here on the bus I was buzzing.

"That was my 200th game for Manchester United, I never thought I would ever reach that figure. It was one of the best nights of my life. I wasn't consciously thinking I would sign [after getting the first call]. When you get to a certain age you start to wind down your career.

"I got the call and didn't have another option, so I just took it and tried to do my best in training and take my chance. You then just hope your body sees you through.

"It was never a thought that I would come in and be a starter. I was told that my role would be to provide competition and that is how I have approached it. With a few injuries, I then had the chance to start."

Evans assisted Bruno Fernandes' winner against Burnley and was named man of the match, so he probably would have been happy to