Man United man admits he considered retiring after injury struggles

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Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has opened up on a whirlwind few months and has admitted he felt it could have been the end after last season.

Jonny Evans, who is set to captain Northern Ireland when they take on Slovenia tonight, has been speaking about the tough few months he had before his return to Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag made the decision to bring back the 35-year-old and in the games he has started for the Red Devils, he has certainly looked at home in the centre of defence.

It could be argued that Evans has been United’s best defender this season as Ten Hag’s first-choice pairing are still suffering with injuries.

Evans on nearly calling time on his career

Speaking to the Express & Star, the former Leicester City defender believed his time was up in football.

“I went through a stage last year where I started thinking maybe it is coming to an end,” Evans said. “There’s no doubt I did have those thoughts. At the time I couldn’t get over injuries and every time I came back I was breaking down.

“I had lots of people telling me there’s no way you’re close to finishing, but you have to prove that to yourself and I feel like I’ve been able to do that.

“Every time you complete a match you think, ‘There’s another one, I can do that’, and sometimes you just have to confirm that to yourself. I’ve been pleased I’ve been able to go through that process and I feel in a good place.”

Evans’ impact

The experienced defender has been, at times, exactly what United have needed in tough periods of games.

The win over Burnley was the best example of this. After Evans was cruelly denied his first goal for the club since his return, his long raking left-footed pass to Bruno Fernandes led to United scoring the only goal of the game.

Evans, alongside Harry Maguire, also made an impact against Brentford as the former Leicester City pairing looked secure at the back and didn’t give much away against Thomas Frank’s side.

The Northern Irish defender may well line up for the Red Devils again this weekend when they take on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.