Man Utd closing in on BONUS transfer that spells BAD news for record signing
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 2 Aug 2023 10:57 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has endured a frustratingly slow start to the summer transfer window, with Mason Mount and Andre Onana signed and deals for Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat in the pipeline.
Ten Hag has been forced to take a pragmatic approach and, after offering Jonny Evans a short-term deal to allow him to play in preseason friendlies, he is ready to extend that offer in the form of a one-year contract, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
It would mark a remarkable return for Evans, who at 35 years old would have started to believe his chance of playing at a top-level club had disappeared.
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The Northern Ireland international already has nearly 200 Manchester United appearances to his name after coming through the academy, but left in 2015 to join West Brom. He subsequently joined Leicester and was part of the side that was relegated from the Premier League last season.
Evans was released by Leicester at the end of his contract but is set to return to the big time with Man Utd.
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Evans in, Maguire out
His return to the club is the latest evidence that Harry Maguire is on his way out, with the England international having been relegated to fifth-choice centre-back by Ten Hag last season, behind even left-back Luke Shaw in the pecking order.
The most expensive centre-back in history – at least until Josko Gvardiol joins Manchester City from RB Leipzig in a deal that is looking probable – would find himself behind Evans in Ten Hag’s thinking, surely leaving him no option but to leave for the sake of his career and reputation.
Previously, the Dutchman had hinted that Maguire was still in his plans.
After stripping the 30-year-old of the captaincy, which was handed to Bruno Fernandes, he said: “He is a very good centre-back, and I believe in the potential of Harry Maguire. It's just that he has to prove himself and fight his way into the team. It's up to him, and I think he can do it.”
Signing Evans suggests that Maguire has already had his chance at Man Utd.
