What Erik ten Hag told Jonny Evans a year before his Manchester United return

Jonny Evans has revealed that he joked with Erik ten Hag about a possible return to Manchester United a year before it became a reality in the summer. The 35-year-old returned to United in the summer transfer window, eight years after Louis van Gaal sold him to West Bromwich Albion.

Evans came through the United academy and made 198 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and winning three Premier League titles, two League Cups, and the Club World Cup.

He has since made another three appearances for the club since his return, including a superb display against Burnley just over a week ago.

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Evans acknowledges he was only ever signed as a backup option and has now lifted the lid on how Ten Hag joked he would take him back when United defeated his former Leicester side in September 2022.

"We played them last season; quite early on in the season, United won 1-0, when I was at Leicester," he told MUTV.

"I think I had a good game that night, and he kind of made a little joke comment, 'do you fancy coming back?'. I was like, 'yeah, yeah, of course, no problem!' It is funny how things work. I don't think either of us thought that would have ever been a possibility.

"I suppose maybe he thought that with my experience and my experience of the club before and the relationship I had with everyone here, it wouldn't be a problem for me at this stage of my career to come in, settle in, and feel part of it.

"I am quite aware of my role, which is to provide cover for the other centre-backs and support the team in a different way than I've been used to. I have got to be ready when I can, help the team, and help this