Manchester United have made a few peculiar decisions in recent years and former star Rio Ferdinand has expressed confusion over two choices relating to one player.
Manchester United’s decision to bring back Jonny Evans in the summer was a bemusing choice at the time.
His former teammate Rio Ferdinand says the only thing more confusing was the decision to let him go in the first place.
Evans was signed as cover and has been used regularly amid an injury crisis. He has made 17 appearances to date this season.
He was replaced midway through the draw with Tottenham for a returning Lisandro Martinez, and former star Ferdinand was keen to pay tribute to the Northern Irishman.
Rio Ferdinand on Jonny Evans
Speaking to Five, Ferdinand admits he was left shocked when United signed Evans in the summer.
Ferdinand said: “My eyebrows were off the chain when I heard he was getting a new deal. Like one of those cartoons.”
He admits he has been impressed with that he has seen from the 36-year-old, commenting: “He’s come in, no frills, and done what Jonny Evans has done throughout his career. He’s been dependable.”
Ferdinand expected long United stay for Evans
Ferdinand says he had expected a long and successful Manchester United career for Jonny Evans, after he left the club a year after Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
But it was not to be, with Louis van Gaal selling Evans in 2015, a decision Ferguson himself was perplexed by.
Ferdinand explained: “I thought it ‘who’s playing with Jonny’ when I left. He knows the fabric of the place.
“He knows what’s required he’s been there through campaigns, he’s been part of title winning squads, he’s been there in Champions League finals. He’s watched me and Nemanja Vidic play.
“He’s been primed up, built, ready to go in there. It’s no surprise that I know Manchester City and Arsenal have been in for him at times.
“You know whats on the tin with him. He’s a good enough footballer, can play with both feet. He’s dependable.”
Signed on a free, Evans has arguably been United’s best summer signing of 2023, which may say more about the other additions than it does him. But it also demonstrates how he has risen above expectations, and he has done for most of his career.
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