Manchester United’s injury theme of last season continued against Arsenal after they lost Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro to injuries in the first game of their USA leg of the pre-season.
While those issues derailed the campaign last year, it also provided the chance for some unexpected heroes to emerge from the fringes.
Youngsters like Willy Kambwala would never have gotten a first-team opportunity without all those injuries, an opportunity he leveraged for a La Liga move this summer.
One of those heroes was also on the other side of his career, as Jonny Evans came from the cold and became one of United’s most dependable players.
As players around him kept falling, Evans’ steady hand and experience became ever more valuable for Erik ten Hag, leading to him signing a new deal for this season.
Now, Evans has revealed he was contemplating an extreme step had that not happened-
All or nothing for Jonny Evans
Evans signed as an emergency backup last season but the whole season was one big emergency so he ended up playing 30 games in all competitions.
His veteran leadership and experience make him a crucial part of the dressing room as well so a new contract for him was well-deserved.
Still, it was nearly two weeks after his initial deal expired that a new contract was ultimately signed, the time in which Evans had decided it was all or nothing for him.
BBC reports that Evans was ready to retire from the game had United not offered him a new deal, and even though finer details meant it took ‘longer than expected’, he always knew he wanted to stay.
He said: “The fine details meant it took a bit longer than expected but I knew I wasn’t going anywhere else. It was either stay here or probably retire.
“I was glad another season came available and the club wanted me to stay. I had a great time last season and I want to continue that.”
A no-brainer decision
Evans is 36 and will turn 37 during the season so he signs a new deal with the knowledge that his role at the start will again be that of an emergency backup.
Having a clarity of role in a model professional like Evans made it a no-brainer decision to award him a new contract, especially as United are making the team younger.
His experience will be crucial for the likes of Leny Yoro who is navigating his first season in English football at the age of just 18.
Already, Evans appears to be in line for a bigger role than expected, as Yoro has sustained an injury, while Lisandro Martinez is on extended holidays after winning the Copa America with Argentina.
He is expected to be a key player against Real Betis and Liverpool in the next two pre-season fixtures in the UK. Of course, from a United POV, something will have gone seriously wrong if Evans plays 30 games this season again.
Still, it’s good to have a reliable backup with clarity over his role and a model presence in the dressing room.
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