Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has revealed that his children once didn’t believe he played for the club.
“Evans has admitted that his children used to not believe he played for United,” the Daily Mail reported today (June 6).
Evans is one of United’s most consistent defenders in the past, having come through the youth ranks. After making his first-team debut, Evans was loaned out to non-Manchester clubs before becoming a regular for the club in the 2008/09 season. He was the backup to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the time and gradually started to get more playing time at United.
By the 2011/12 season, he had established himself as an established first-team center back, even forming a starting combination with Ferdinand, and together they won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, and one UEFA Champions League title.
However, nagging injuries and defensive concentration issues prevented him from being a full-time starter before he left United at the end of the 2014/15 season, and he went on to play for West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City.
Evans played for Leicester until last season, when he rejoined United after the Foxes were relegated. His arrival at United’s training camp in the summer transfer window was highly anticipated, and he returned to his hometown club on a one-year deal.
Evans was initially considered an unlikely option to play in a back five behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire. However, with Baran out with a long-term injury and both Lissandro and Lindelof needing to be replaced in the last game against Arsenal, Eric Dier opted to use Evans and Maguire at the same time. 메이저사이트
However, Evans’ return to United was not a successful one. The Red Devils conceded a late goal to Declan Rice, which was made all the more frustrating when the ball deflected off Evans’ leg from a set piece and into the net. The Red Devils then conceded a late goal to Gabriel Jesus in a 1-3 loss.
In the aftermath, Evans said he was fortunate to be able to play, noting that it would have been special for his children.
According to the Daily Mail, “Evans revealed that his return to United meant something special to his children. “They seem reluctant to believe that their father has ever played for United,” the Daily Mail noted.
“They know I played for United, but I don’t think they believe me,” Evans said in an interview, revealing that his children had doubted his United career, according to the report.
“It’s good that they can watch me. My oldest child was born in the 2014/15 season when I was at United, so it will be great to take them to Old Trafford and it will be special for them to see me play at Old Trafford. I’m lucky to be back at United,” he said.
The game against Arsenal was Evans’ 199th appearance for the Red Devils, and if he plays in the next game due to a string of injuries to United’s center backs, his children will be able to watch his 200th game for the club.
After a disappointing end to his first game back at the club, there will be plenty of interest in whether Evans can leave the club this season with something to prove to his children about his United career.